Optimising outcomes in extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL), typically a cancer of lymph nodes, is the 8th leading cause of cancer death in Australia. This thesis explores three ways to improve outcomes for patients with two NHLs that affect non-lymph-node areas (‘extranodal NHLs’): primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). Firstly, by showing PCNSL patients live longer when chemotherapy is ‘spaced out’ rather than given all together. Secondly, by replacing toxic chemotherapy or radiotherapy with immunotherapy when treating PCNSL patients. Finally, showing that ‘liquid biopsies’ (i.e. detecting tumour genes in the blood) can predict response to treatment in patients with MZL.