Lymphoma Treatment, Symptoms Explained As Jeff Bridges Feels 'Terrific'

Actor Jeff Bridges has said he feels "terrific" after going into remission after being diagnosed with a type of cancer called lymphoma.

The actor, known for roles including The Dude in The Big Lebowski, revealed he had lymphoma in 2020 and that he was starting treatment at that time. He said doctors believed the prognosis was "good." In September 2021, he said his lymphoma was in remission.

On Tuesday, Bridges told a virtual panel for his upcoming FX series The Old Man that he feels "terrific," according to The Wrap.

Filming for The Old Man stopped because of COVID and Bridges' illness, The Wrap reported. The show will air on June 16.

Bridges said at the event: "As far as I'm concerned, FX and all of the team were so considerate and gave me all of the time I needed to heal and all the support I needed. The protocols—we were still in COVID—made me feel very safe and eager to get down to business and play."

According to Deadline, Bridges said: "I went through a year and a half of this bizarre dream and then came back... It was great to be back with the gang."

What Is Lymphoma?

Lymphoma is an umbrella term for forms of cancer that affect the lymphatic system. Part of the immune system, the lymphatic system features organs and tissues that create white blood cells.

There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma, which is described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as spreading in an "orderly manner" between lymph nodes; and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which spreads in the lymphatic system in a "non-orderly manner." There are over 60 types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

It was not clear which type of lymphoma Bridges had.

What Are the Symptoms of Lymphoma?

Swollen lymph nodes are symptomatic of both forms of the disease, particularly in parts of the body where the cancer is growing. Other symptoms include weight loss, tiredness, a fever, and night sweats.

How Is Lymphoma Treated?

The treatment a patient receives depends on factors including the type and stage of lymphoma that they have, as well as their general health and personal preferences.

Treatment options—aiming to kill cancer cells—include chemotherapy or immunotherapy drugs, and radiation therapy, where the body is targeted with beams of energy.

Some patients may require a bone marrow transplant, where unhealthy marrow is replaced with healthy marrow.

What Are the Chances of Surviving Lymphoma?

The chances of surviving for at least five years after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma is 73 percent, according to the American Cancer Society, and between 88 to 92 percent for Hodgkin Lymphoma, depending on the stage.

The American Cancer Society states on its website: "Survival rates are estimates and are often based on previous outcomes of large numbers of people who had a specific cancer, but they can't predict what will happen in any particular person's case."