Our compassionate, world-renowned doctors have been pioneers in developing biomarkers and novel, effective therapies which offer cutting edge treatment options for our patients.
- Specialized expertise in treating all types of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, including fast-growing and rare diseases. Go to Conditions Treated
- Advanced treatment options, including stem cell transplants and CAR T-cell therapy, which your care team tailors to the lymphoma type and stage. Go to Treatments
- Team-based approach that brings together lymphoma experts from multiple specialties, including medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, radiology, and dermatology. Go to Your Care Team
- Clinical trials that provide access to the latest treatments and care before they’re widely available. Go to Clinical Trials
- Comprehensive support services to meet your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Go to Supportive Services
- Ease of access with timely appointments in comfortable, convenient settings. Go to Connecting to Care
Conditions Treated
At Stanford Medicine, our lymphoma team specializes in treating all types of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Lymphoma is a blood cancer that forms in the lymphatic system.
Lymphoma can affect all areas of the lymphatic system, such as bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus.
Hodgkin lymphoma is highly curable even in advanced stages.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma consist of several subtypes (B- and T- cell). These can be indolent (slow growing) or aggressive with several treatment options. Some examples of indolent lymphomas include follicular lymphoma, Marginal-zone lymphoma, Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia
Some examples of aggressive lymphoma include diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, peripheral T-cell lymphoma, and Burkitt’s lymphoma.
Our team also specializes in treating all types of cutaneous lymphomas, a rare group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas that mainly involves the skin (mycosis fungoides, Sezary syndrome, and other types of cutaneous B- and T-cell lymphomas.
At Stanford Medicine, our lymphoma specialists are actively involved in clinical trials, giving you early access to advanced, life-changing therapies. Our researchers have a long history of developing breakthrough technologies for complex and uncommon lymphomas. We developed rituximab, the first monoclonal antibody treatment for B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is an integral part of the treatment for most B-cell lymphomas.
INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS
- We have been leaders in the field of evaluating circulating tumor DNA using a blood test that can detect and monitor lymphoma based on its unique genetic fingerprint.
- Our researchers are constantly developing novel targeted and immune therapies to treat all types of lymphoma.
- We’re one of the approved health systems in the country to offer CAR T-cell therapy for aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma that returns or doesn’t respond to treatment. We are developing novel CAR-T therapies applicable to all types of lymphoma.
- We developed a technique for total skin irradiation that is effective in controlling disease for many patients with cutaneous lymphoma.
Getting the best possible outcome for lymphoma starts with a precise diagnosis. At Stanford Medicine, our lymphoma specialists conduct comprehensive tests to identify the specific type and stage of lymphoma.
A critical part of the assessment is a biopsy, which involves taking a tissue sample which is evaluated by our expert hematopathologists.
Your doctor may recommend:
- Fine Needle Aspiration: Uses a needle to extract cells from a lymph node.
- Core biopsy: Uses a wider needle to extract a sample of cells.
- Surgical biopsy: Removes all or part of a lymph node to check for cancer cells.
A bone marrow biopsy is a procedure performed to evaluate the bone marrow to look for the presence of lymphoma.
Your evaluation may also involve imaging studies to evaluate the extent of the spread of lymphoma. These tests might include:
Our lymphoma specialists personalize your treatment plan based on the type of lymphoma you have and whether it’s slow- or fast-growing. Some slow-growing lymphomas don’t require immediate treatment. In those cases, our specialists see you regularly and carefully monitor the lymphoma.
For fast-growing lymphomas, treatment may include a combination of cancer-specific medications, radiation therapy, or stem cell transplant.
Depending on your specific needs, our lymphoma cancer specialists may use more than one cancer medication. These may be administered by mouth as a pill or delivered intravenously by specially trained nurses:
- Chemotherapy: Medications that destroy cancer cells throughout the body
- Immunotherapy: Medications that enhance the immune system’s ability to attack cancer cells or slow their growth
- Targeted therapy: Medications that target specific proteins, genes, or other pathways in a cancer cell
At Stanford Medicine, we’re constantly refining our radiation therapies to destroy cancer cells with more precision while protecting healthy tissue.
Our treatments include these external radiation therapies:
- 3D conformal radiation therapy which uses 3D images to guide targeting of the cancer with beams targeted from several directions.
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy which employs a sweeping beam always focusing on the tumor.
- Total body or total lymphoid irradiation as part of the preparation for stem cell transplantation
- To treat cutaneous lymphoma, we use low-dose total skin electron beam therapy. This type of radiation therapy penetrates the skin without affecting deeper tissues and organs.
At Stanford Health Care, we understand how cancer affects your body, mind, and spirit. That’s why we offer cancer care that extends beyond treating your physical health. Our Circle of Care approach helps guide you and wraps you in the services you need to navigate your cancer journey.
Innovation Through Clinical Research
Some of Silicon Valley’s brightest scientific minds are at the Stanford Cancer Institute and the Stanford Medicine Cancer Center. Medical discoveries and clinical advances happen here. Our physicians and scientists work every day to improve cancer prevention, detection, and care. We offer advanced diagnostics, the latest treatment technologies and techniques, and pioneering therapies in development through clinical trials. Let us put innovation to work for you.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.
To learn more about the clinical trials we offer, visit: Stanford Cancer Institute Clinical Trials.
We know cancer is more than a condition—it's one of life's greatest disruptors. We offer you and your caregivers the support you need at every step of the way, including a team that actively listens, develops a plan for your unique situation, and stays with you from diagnosis to treatment and beyond.
Your lymphoma team includes multiple specialists with extensive training and experience in diagnosing and treating all types of lymphoma.
Your Doctors
Hematologist-Oncologist
Hematologist-oncologists specialize in diagnosing and treating lymphoma using advanced cancer medications, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.
View All {0} Hematologist-Oncologists »Medical Oncologist
Medical oncologists specialize in diagnosing and treating lymphoma using advanced cancer medications, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.
View All {0} Medical Oncologists »Radiation Oncologist
Radiation oncologists have specialized training in using high-energy radiation to destroy cancer or prevent its spread while protecting healthy tissue.
View All {0} Radiation Oncologists »Dermatologic Oncologist
Dermatologic oncologists diagnose and treat cutaneous lymphoma.
View All {0} Dermatologic Oncologists »Advanced Practice Provider
Our skilled nurse practitioners specialize in diagnosing and treating lymphoma. They see patients independently and occasionally alongside your doctor. APPs can give you a thorough exam, write prescriptions, and help prevent or treat any issues. Our APPs meet weekly to discuss patient needs.
View all 5 Lymphoma Cancer APPs »Extended Care Team
Research Coordinators
Doctors at Stanford Medicine Cancer Center participate in research efforts to advance the understanding of GI cancers and their treatment. Research coordinators help screen candidates for possible participation in clinical research trials.
Your care team also includes nurses, radiation therapists, medical assistants, new patient coordinators, social workers.
Cancer Care Services
Part of your care involves managing your emotional and spiritual health. We offer you and your loved ones services that can help you stay strong through your treatment and recovery.
Our wide range of support services offer a single point of contact to assess your needs and connect you to the help you need. Contact our Cancer Care Services for your personal support plan.
We make access to care as simple as possible. We anticipate what you need and provide support when you need it. Our network of locations puts our services within your reach. User-friendly digital health tools help you stay connected with your care team. We accept most insurance plans and offer discounted transportation, short-stay options, and international travel and translation services. We help make sense of the details, so you can make decisions that are right for you.
We welcome you and make accessing care from the Stanford Lymphoma Program as simple, convenient, and comfortable as possible. We make every effort to coordinate your appointments so that you can see multiple providers, as needed, during a single trip.
For Referring Physicians
PHYSICIAN HELPLINE
Fax: 650-320-9443
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as the latest information and news for physicians and office staff. For help with all referral needs and questions, visit Referral Information.
You may also submit a web referral or complete a referral form and fax it to 650-320-9443 or email the Referral Center at ReferralCenter@stanfordhealthcare.org.
HOW TO REFER
Email or fax a cancer referral form with supporting documentation to ReferralCenter@stanfordhealthcare.org or 650-320-9443.
