Optimal Care Pathways for lymphoma

Lymphoma is the general term for cancers that develop in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is made up of a vast network of vessels (similar to blood vessels) that branch out into all the tissues of the body. These vessels contain lymph, a colourless watery fluid that carries lymphocytes, which are specialised white blood cells that fight infection. There are two types of lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes (also called B-cells and T-cells). These cells protect us by making antibodies and destroying harmful microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses.

Disease-specific Optimal Care Pathways have been developed for the following diseases, each accompanied by a quick reference guide and patient guide, specially designed to help people in Australia with blood cancer, and their loved ones. The OCP patient guides are suitable to be shared with your patients, to ensure they are informed of their upcoming blood cancer journey.

Optimal Care Pathways are one of the key recommendations in Australia’s National Strategic Action Plan for Blood Cancer. They will help you, as a health professional, provide nationally consistent, high-quality, evidence-based information at each stage of the blood cancer pathway, from diagnosis and treatment to ongoing care.