Do lymphoma cancer cells go dormant like other cancers?

Question

I have B-cell lymphoma and I'm currently taking Lenalidomide. I just read an interesting article about how some cancer cells can go "dormant" - essentially hiding in the body even after treatment. While the article focused mainly on solid tumors like breast cancer, it got me thinking about whether this might apply to blood cancers like lymphoma too.

It made me realize why ongoing treatment and monitoring stay so important, even when things seem to be going well. The idea that some cancer cells might be able to "hide" and potentially reawaken later really puts the long-term nature of cancer care into perspective.

I'd love to hear from others with lymphoma about your experiences:
• How do you think about the long-term nature of lymphoma treatment and monitoring?
• What has your care team told you about why ongoing treatment matters even when you're responding well?

Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-04149-3

Outcomes4Me · Accepted Answer

Research shows that dormancy can occur in blood cancers including lymphoma, where cancer cells may remain inactive in the body for extended periods. This helps explain why long-term monitoring and maintenance treatments are such important parts of lymphoma care - they help keep any remaining cells in check and catch changes early. Many patients find it helpful to discuss these concepts with their care teams to better understand their individual treatment plans and what to expect during follow-up visits.

Do lymphoma cancer cells go dormant like other cancers?

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