51
Treating Cutaneous Lymphoma
Treatment paths for cutaneous lymphoma vary from creams and ointments
to prescriptions, procedures and intravenous or light therapies. In the
United States, there are many qualified centers where patients with
cutaneous lymphoma can be treated, especially during the early stage of the
disease. For patients whose disease has advanced, treatment may fall under
the realm of an oncologist, cancer center or chemotherapy clinic.
If you live in a rural area or small town, you may find that it is difficult, if not
impossible, to obtain certain treatments. You may need to travel to have
your treatments, and there may be costs involved with that. If the costs
become too prohibitive, some clinics have individuals appointed to guide
patients through the process of finding, affording and implementing the
proper treatments. Most major medical centers have provisions for helping
people stay for lengths of time to fulfill their treatments.
The Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation, physicians, nurses,
pharmacists and other healthcare providers can be powerful resources
full of information and ideas to help you get what you need. There are
organizations that specialize in assisting patients with cancer through their
challenges with obtaining medications along with financial, employment,
insurance and other issues.
You can find many helpful organizations in the RESOURCES section of
this guide. Check the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation website for up-
to-date resources (
.
Chapter 9
Access to Medications
and Treatments
2