Lymphoma Specialist in Guatemala
Lymphoma can be cured. With the right diagnosis and treatment.
There are more than 60 subtypes of lymphoma. The treatment that works for one can be completely inadequate for another. Correct classification isn't a detail — it's what determines the outcome.
When should you consult Dr. Valvert?
You were diagnosed with lymphoma and want to confirm the subtype and proposed treatment
You have swollen lymph nodes that don't go away after several weeks
You have night sweats, fever, or weight loss with no clear cause
You are in relapse or your previous treatment didn't work as expected
You were diagnosed with cutaneous lymphoma or have unexplained skin lesions
You are receiving treatment at another center and want an independent second opinion
⚡ Consultations Monday to Saturday | In person and telehealth available
80%+
cure rate in Hodgkin lymphoma with first-line treatment
60+
distinct lymphoma subtypes, each with different treatment
+10
international scientific publications on lymphoma, including Lancet Haematology 2025
Q475
initial consultation with complete case review and treatment plan
Active researcher in lymphoma. Specialist in the cases others can't solve.
Member of the Latin American Group for the Study of Lymphoproliferative Disorders and author of publications in Lancet Haematology, I treat lymphoma with complete histopathological classification, correct staging, and rescue protocols with curative intent — even in relapse.
Not all lymphomas are the same.
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system that can originate in lymph nodes, the spleen, bone marrow, or other organs. It is divided into two main groups — Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin — but within each group there are dozens of subtypes with completely different behaviors, prognoses, and treatments.
A classic Hodgkin lymphoma in a young patient has a cure rate above 80% with standard chemotherapy. A diffuse large B-cell lymphoma requires a completely different protocol. A peripheral T-cell lymphoma has different therapeutic options from both. Treating all lymphomas the same way is the most common mistake — and the most costly one.
“Before talking about treatment, I need to know exactly what type of lymphoma it is. That requires a biopsy, immunohistochemistry, and in many cases cytogenetics. Without that, any protocol is a gamble.”—Dra. Fabiola Valvert
Symptoms that shouldn't be ignored.
Lymphoma can present in many ways. Some symptoms are local — palpable lymph nodes — others are systemic. Recognizing them in time significantly improves the prognosis.
Swollen lymph nodes
Palpable nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin that don't hurt and don't go away after 2 to 4 weeks. The most common symptom in lymphoma.
Fever without infection
Recurrent fever episodes with no evident infectious source. When combined with night sweats and weight loss, these are called B symptoms — a sign of more aggressive disease.
Night sweats
Heavy sweating that soaks clothing or bedding, unrelated to room temperature. A classic B symptom in lymphoma.
Unexplained weight loss
More than 10% of body weight lost over 6 months with no change in diet or physical activity. A B symptom indicating active systemic disease.
Generalized itching
Itching with no evident dermatologic cause, especially in Hodgkin lymphoma. Can precede the diagnosis by months.
Persistent fatigue
Tiredness disproportionate to exertion that doesn't improve with rest. Common in lymphomas with bone marrow involvement or associated anemia.
Skin lesions
Plaques, nodules, or persistent redness with no clear dermatologic cause. May indicate T-cell lymphoma — a condition frequently mistaken for eczema or psoriasis for years.
Difficulty breathing
A mediastinal mass compressing the trachea or bronchi. Common in Hodgkin lymphoma and some aggressive Non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
Do you identify with any of these?
A one-hour first consultation is enough to begin the workup and, if applicable, reach a clear diagnosis
When the diagnosis was incomplete or the treatment didn't work.
Dr. Valvert has rescued patients with relapsed lymphoma who other centers had offered only palliative treatment. In many cases the problem was an incomplete histopathological diagnosis from the start — without complete immunohistochemistry, without correct staging, or without considering the exact subtype.
Lymphoma misclassified at diagnosis
Without complete immunohistochemistry and an appropriate marker panel, it's impossible to correctly distinguish between B-cell, T-cell, or NK-cell lymphoma subtypes. Incorrect classification leads to incorrect treatment. Dr. Valvert reviews the original biopsy and completes the diagnosis when necessary.
Relapsed or refractory lymphoma
A lymphoma that relapses after first-line treatment or that doesn't respond to initial treatment requires a different rescue strategy. Dr. Valvert evaluates second-line options, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and evaluation for autologous bone marrow transplant.
T-cell lymphoma without a correct diagnosis
T-cell lymphoma is one of the most frequently misdiagnosed conditions in Central America — mistaken for eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis for years. Dr. Valvert is one of the few specialists in Guatemala with specific experience in this condition.
“I have seen patients with Hodgkin lymphoma in second relapse who were offered only palliative chemotherapy. With rescue chemo-immunotherapy followed by autologous transplant, they are disease-free today. The correct diagnosis changes everything.”—Dra. Fabiola Valvert
How lymphoma is diagnosed in consultation
Diagnosing lymphoma requires a biopsy of the affected lymph node or tissue, immunohistochemistry, staging with PET-CT, and in many cases cytogenetic studies. In the first consultation with Dr. Valvert, we review what is complete and what decisions depend on what's missing.
Complete case review
Detailed medical history, review of prior biopsies, pathology reports, imaging studies, and any treatment received previously.
Biopsy and immunohistochemistry
Excisional lymph node biopsy is the diagnostic standard. Immunohistochemistry with a complete marker panel allows classification of the exact lymphoma subtype — B-cell, T-cell, NK-cell, Hodgkin, or Non-Hodgkin.
Staging with PET-CT
PET-CT is the standard staging study in lymphoma. It determines the extent of the disease and is essential for deciding the treatment protocol and evaluating the response to it.
Cytogenetics and molecular studies
In aggressive or high-grade lymphomas, cytogenetics and molecular studies (FISH, PCR, NGS) identify alterations that determine prognosis and the available therapeutic options.
Bone marrow biopsy when applicable
In some lymphoma subtypes, bone marrow evaluation is part of staging. It determines whether there is marrow involvement and changes the stage classification.
Treatment plan with curative intent
With the complete diagnosis and correct staging, the protocol is designed: chemo-immunotherapy, targeted therapies, CAR T-cell therapy, radiotherapy when applicable, or evaluation for autologous transplant.
Why consult Dr. Valvert for lymphoma?
Dra. Fabiola Valvert
Hematologist specialized in Lymphoma. International reference in cutting-edge research for lymphoma treatment.
Active international researcher in lymphoma
Dr. Valvert is a co-author of publications in Lancet Haematology (2025) and Blood Advances (2021 and 2024) on lymphomas in Latin America. Her patients receive treatment based on cutting-edge research — not outdated protocols.
Member of GELL — Latin American Group for the Study of Lymphoproliferative Disorders
Active participation in international multicenter studies on lymphomas in Latin America. Access to protocols and clinical data not available in standard hematologic practice in the region.
Specialist in T-cell lymphoma
One of the few hematologists in Guatemala with specific experience in T-cell lymphoma — a condition frequently mistaken for dermatologic disease for years before the correct diagnosis.
Rescue therapy for relapses with curative intent
She has rescued patients with Hodgkin lymphoma in second relapse using chemo-immunotherapy followed by autologous bone marrow transplant, achieving complete remission. Difficult cases are the center of her practice.
Do you have a hematologic diagnosis? Book your consultation today.
First visit, second opinion, or transplant consultation — all options available.
Specialized Hematology in Guatemala
Dra. Fabiola Valvert - Hematóloga
15 Avenida 5-50 zona 15 Vista Hermosa 3, Edificio Spazio, Oficina 10-01Bonanova, a private hospital specializing in cancer care in Zona 15
Office Hours
Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Emergency Care
Dr. Valvert handles hematologic emergencies through Bonanova, a private hospital specializing in cancer care with full infrastructure for urgent situations.
Coverage Areas
All of Guatemala City
- • Unrestricted care throughout the capital, including Zona 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, and 16
- • Carretera a El Salvador and surrounding areas
Metropolitan Area
- • Mixco, Villa Nueva, Santa Catarina Pinula, San Cristóbal, and surrounding municipalities
All of Guatemala
- • Care for patients from all departments of the country
- • Telehealth available for patients outside the capital
International Coverage
- • El Salvador, Belize, Honduras, and Costa Rica
- • Telehealth available for international patients
Common questions, clear answers
Still have questions? Let’s talk directly on WhatsApp for personalized answers.