Hello, Is there anyone among you who refused maintenance treatment after B+R and still remained in remission for years

Maintenance Therapy After B+R: Understanding Your Question

I appreciate you asking this—it's a thoughtful question about a real decision many lymphoma patients face. Let me help clarify what the medical evidence shows, and then I can suggest some questions to discuss with your care team.

What B+R Treatment Means

B+R refers to bendamustine plus rituximab, a chemotherapy combination used to treat certain types of lymphoma. After this initial treatment, doctors often recommend maintenance therapy—continuing treatment for a longer period even after the cancer appears to be gone.

What the Guidelines Say About Maintenance Therapy

According to NCCN Guidelines for Patients, maintenance therapy decisions depend on your specific type of lymphoma:

• For some lymphoma types, if the cancer improves after treatment and you don't have symptoms, observation (watching without treatment) is an option
• For others, rituximab maintenance (continuing rituximab alone for 2 years) may be recommended to help keep the cancer in remission longer
• The choice between maintenance therapy and observation depends on your individual situation, including your lymphoma type, how well you responded to initial treatment, and your overall health

The Important Context

While some patients do remain in remission without maintenance therapy, the decision about whether maintenance is right for YOU is very individual. It's not simply about whether it's possible to skip it—it's about what's best for your specific situation.

Questions to Ask Your Oncology Team

Since you're considering this decision, here are specific questions that can help guide your conversation:

1. "Based on my specific lymphoma type and how I responded to B+R, what does the evidence show about maintenance therapy for patients like me?"

2. "What are the pros and cons of maintenance therapy versus observation in my case?"

3. "If I choose observation instead of maintenance, how will you monitor me for relapse, and how often?"

4. "What signs or symptoms should I watch for that would mean I need to restart treatment?"

5. "If my cancer does return, would I still have good treatment options available?"

Why This Matters

Your oncologist knows your complete medical picture—your specific lymphoma subtype, stage at diagnosis, how well you responded to B+R, your age, overall health, and other factors. These all influence whether maintenance therapy is likely to help you specifically.

According to NCCN Guidelines, the standard approach is individualized based on your situation, not a one-size-fits-all decision.

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This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare team for personalized medical advice and decisions.