Symptoms
People in remission for Hodgkin’s lymphoma generally need to see their doctor every three to six months for follow-up examinations. This may include blood tests and PET or CT scans. If several years pass without any signs of relapse you can gradually decrease the frequency of your visits.
Causes
Exams and tests During follow-up visits, the doctor will ask about symptoms, do physical exams, and may do blood tests or imaging tests such as PET or CT scans. Doctor visits are usually recommended every 3 to 6 months for the first several years after treatment.
Prevention
Doctor visits are usually recommended every 3 to 6 months for the first several years after treatment. Over time, the length of time between visits can be increased, but even after 5 years you should see your oncologist at least once a year.
Complications
At some point after the 5-year mark, your oncologist may suggest that you get routine care from your primary care doctor instead of appointments with a specialist. To Scan or Not to Scan? Your doctor may ask you to get CT scans at your early follow-up appointments. They let them see whether non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has returned.
How often should I see a doctor for Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
How often should you see a doctor after a PET scan?
How often should I See my oncologist?
Should I get a CT scan after 5 years of cancer?
How often does Hodgkins lymphoma return?
With Hodgkin lymphoma, more than half of recurrences occur within two years of the primary treatment and up to 90% occur before the five-year mark. The occurrence of a relapse after 10 years is rare and after 15 years the risk of developing lymphoma is the same as its risk in the normal population.
How do you know if Hodgkin's lymphoma has returned?
You'll also get blood tests, and sometimes imaging tests like CT or PET scans. If these tests show any signs of cancer, you'll have a biopsy to confirm whether your lymphoma has returned. During this test, the doctor removes part or all of a lymph node. A lab tests the sample for cancer.
How long does Hodgkins lymphoma treatment last?
A typical chemotherapy regime for Hodgkin lymphoma might involve around six cycles of a combination of drugs, given over a period of six months. There are many different ways of giving chemotherapy.
How fast can Hodgkin's lymphoma relapse?
Relapse of HL may occur several months to years after the initial remission; however, the majority of relapses occur within 2 years of initial treatment.
What causes Hodgkin's lymphoma to return?
Who might experience relapse? Relapse can occur if there are lymphoma cells left in your body after treatment. These cells can gradually build up and begin to cause problems again. This might be the case if you had a partial remission (your lymphoma got smaller during treatment but it did not go away completely).
How fast can lymphoma come back?
In a minority of people with Hodgkin and high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) their disease relapses after treatment; this is most likely to happen within the first two years of remission.
Can Hodgkin's lymphoma be completely cured?
Treatment options Overall, treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma is highly effective and most people with the condition are eventually cured.
Which type of Hodgkin lymphoma has best prognosis?
Nodular sclerosing Hodgkin lymphoma has a higher survival rate than other types of classic Hodgkin lymphoma, with the five-year survival rate being greater than 90%.
Can you live a normal life after lymphoma?
It takes time but most people adjust well to life after a diagnosis of lymphoma and find a 'new normal'. This might involve making some changes to your everyday life.
Can you live 20 years with Hodgkin's lymphoma?
The 20-year actuarial rates of survival were 78%, 78%, and 46%, respectively, for patients aged 16 or less, 17 to 39, and 40 years or older at diagnosis. Hodgkin's disease diagnosed at age 40 or older was a significant risk factor for all causes of death.
What are the odds of beating Hodgkin lymphoma?
5-year relative survival rates for Hodgkin lymphomaSEER Stage5-Year Relative Survival RateLocalized92%Regional94%Distant82%All SEER stages combined88%Mar 2, 2022
Can you live 20 years with lymphoma?
Most people with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma will live 20 years after diagnosis. Faster-growing cancers (aggressive lymphomas) have a worse prognosis. They fall into the overall five-year survival rate of 60%.
Why do you need a PET scan after chemo?
If a person can’t have chemotherapy because of other health issues , radiation therapy alone may be an option.
How to treat lymphoma after treatment?
Treatment for HL should remove all traces of the lymphoma. After treatment, the doctor will do tests such as PET/CT scans to look for any signs of HL. If HL is still there, most experts think that more of the same treatment is unlikely to cure it.
What is the best treatment for stem cell transplant?
For those who don’t respond to treatment, chemo using different drugs or high-dose chemo (and possibly radiation) followed by a stem cell transplant may be recommended. Treatment with an immunotherapy drug such as brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris), nivolumab (Opdivo), or pembrolizumab (Keytruda) might be another option.
How many cycles of chemo for ABVD?
Treatment is generally more intense than that for favorable disease. It typically starts with chemotherapy (usually with the ABVD regimen for 4 to 6 cycles or other regimens such as 3 cycles of Stanford V). PET/CT scans are often done after several cycles of chemo to see if (and how much) more treatment is needed.
What to do if you have HL?
If HL is still there after these treatments, most doctors would recommend high-dose chemo (and possibly radiation) followed by an autologous stem cell transplant, if it can be done. If cancer still remains after this, an allogeneic stem cell transplant may be an option.
Can radiation cure lymphoma?
This holds true no matter how long ago the radiation was first given. If the lymphoma returns after many years, using the same or different chemo drugs (possibly along with radiation) might still cure it. On the other hand, HL that recurs soon after treatment may need more intensive treatment.
Can HL recur after treatment?
On the other hand, HL that recurs soon after treatment may need more intensive treatment . For example, if the HL has returned within a few months of the original treatment, high-dose chemo (and possibly radiation) followed by an autologous stem cell transplant may be recommended.
How to keep track of cancer treatment?
Keeping personal health records. You and your doctor should work together to develop a personalized follow-up care plan. Be sure to discuss any concerns you have about your future physical or emotional health. ASCO offers forms to help keep track of the cancer treatment you received and develop a survivorship care plan when treatment is completed. ...
What to do if a doctor is not involved in cancer care?
If a doctor who was not directly involved in your cancer care will lead your follow-up care, be sure to share your cancer treatment summary and survivorship care plan forms with them and with all future health care providers . Details about your cancer treatment are very valuable to the health care professionals who will care for you ...
Why do we need follow up care?
One goal of follow-up care is to check for a recurrence, which means that the cancer has come back. Cancer recurs because small areas of cancer cells may remain undetected in the body. Over time, these cells may increase in number until they show up on test results or cause signs or symptoms. During follow-up care, a doctor familiar with your medical history can give you personalized information about your risk of recurrence. Your doctor will also ask specific questions about your health.
What to do if you have cancer and it is late?
If you had a treatment known to cause specific late effects, you may have certain physical examinations, scans, or blood tests to help find and manage them. Special attention should be paid to cancer screening and detection, as well as heart risk factors, throughout the person’s lifetime.
What is the goal of cancer rehabilitation?
The goal of rehabilitation is to help people regain control over many aspects of their lives and remain as independent and productive as possible. Learn more about cancer rehabilitation. Learn more about the importance of follow-up care.
Do survivors go to oncologist?
Some survivors continue to see their oncologist, while others transition back to the care of their family doctor or another health care professional. This decision depends on several factors, including the type and stage of cancer, side effects, health insurance rules, and your personal preferences.
Does radiation affect thyroid?
For people who received radiation therapy to the neck or chest, monitoring thyroid gland function is important. There is a risk of late effects that affect the heart, so annual blood pressure checks, cholesterol measurements, and management of any risk factors for heart problems may be recommended.
What happens after a doctor determines the stage of Hodgkin's lymphoma?
After your doctor has determined the extent of your Hodgkin's lymphoma, your cancer will be assigned a stage . Knowing your cancer's stage helps your doctor determine your prognosis and treatment options.
What is the goal of Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment?
The goal of treatment is to destroy as many cancer cells as possible and bring the disease into remission.
What is the procedure to remove Hodgkin's lymphoma?
A bone marrow biopsy and aspiration procedure involves inserting a needle into your hipbone to remove a sample of bone marrow. The sample is analyzed to look for Hodgkin's lymphoma cells. Other tests and procedures may be used depending on your situation.
What are the stages of Hodgkin's lymphoma?
Stages of Hodgkin's lymphoma include: Stage I. The cancer is limited to one lymph node region or a single organ. Stage II. In this stage, the cancer is in two lymph node regions or the cancer has invaded one organ and the nearby lymph nodes.
What tests are done to detect Hodgkin's lymphoma?
Tests may include X-ray, CT and positron emission tomography. Removing a lymph node for testing. Your doctor may recommend a lymph node biopsy procedure to remove a lymph node for laboratory testing.
How does chemotherapy work?
Chemotherapy drugs can be taken in pill form or through a vein in your arm, or sometimes both methods of administration are used. Several combinations of chemotherapy drugs are used to treat Hodgkin's lymphoma. Side effects of chemotherapy depend on the drugs you're given. Common side effects are nausea and hair loss.
What tests can you do to see if you have cancer?
A physical exam. Your doctor checks for swollen lymph nodes, including in your neck, underarm and groin, as well as a swollen spleen or liver. Blood tests. A sample of your blood is examined in a lab to see if anything in your blood indicates the possibility of cancer. Imaging tests.
Hodgkin's Disease (after the disease has been treated)
Have you had fevers, heavy sweating at night, weight loss, itchy skin, or swollen lymph nodes?
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What is the treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma?
Treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma usually includes chemotherapy and radiation. Both treatments increase the risk for certain types of cancer. These include leukemia, breast cancer, lung cancer, thyroid cancer, and bone cancer. Seeing your oncologist annually, and undergoing any recommended testing, may help catch any signs of cancer.
Can you still have side effects from Hodgkin's lymphoma?
Even when you’re in remission, it’s possible that you may still experience ongoing or new side effects from your Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment. In some cases these side effects may not appear for years after your course of treatment has ended.
Does Hodgkin's lymphoma increase the risk of cancer?
3. Hodgkin’s lymphoma increases the risk of a second cancer. People who have experienced Hodgkin’s lymphoma have a higher-than-average chance of developing a second type of cancer later in life. That’s true even if you’re in remission. That’s why it’s so important to continue monitoring your health by staying up-to-date with your doctor’s ...
Is it too soon to start educating yourself about Hodgkin's lymphoma?
No matter what stage you’re at in your Hodgkin’s lymphoma recovery, it’s never too soon to start educating yourself about the condition and what you should expect following treatment. Your doctor can provide more information about your outlook after treatment and how to reduce your risk of relapse.
Is it possible to relapse from Hodgkin's lymphoma?
The five year survival rate is currently about 86 percent. That’s a higher rate than many other cancers. However, relapse is still possible. Your doctor is always the best source of information regarding your Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment and outlook.
What happens
Your doctor or nurse examines you at each appointment. They ask how you are feeling, whether you have had any symptoms or side effects, and if you are worried about anything.
How often you have check ups
Your check ups will continue for several years. At first they will be every 3 months. Then they will be every 6 months until the 4th year. After that they will be once a year.
Worried about your check up
Many people find their check ups quite worrying. A hospital appointment can bring back any anxiety you had about your cancer.
How old should a patient be for routine surveillance?
The authors argue that patients older than 60 years should be considered for routine surveillance, whereas younger patients can be monitored in the absence of scanning. The findings of the majority of other retrospective studies do not support routine surveillance.
What is PET/CT for lymphoma?
Early studies typically reported on surveillance using computed tomography (CT), whereas more recent investigations have used positron emission tomography (PET)/CT. In the majority of lymphoma subtypes, imaging with PET/CT is a standard part of staging for a newly diagnosed patient.
Is follicular lymphoma incurable?
Given its often indolent nature, follicular lymphoma (FL) is an incurable disease that can be characterized by long periods without therapy. Frequent imaging in this subtype is particularly controversial given the amount of radiation that could be incurred over the course of the disease in a given patient. As a result, it has been more widely accepted to limit imaging in patients with FL compared with other lymphoma subtypes, and therefore few studies have been performed in this histology. A study of patients with stage I to III FL conducted between 1978 and 1994 followed 328 patients for a median of 101 months after first-line therapy. 44 Of these patients, 257 achieved a CR. In addition to clinical follow-up, patients underwent chest, abdominal, and pelvic radiography, and CT of the abdomen/pelvis. Imaging was typically done every 3 months for the first 5 years and then yearly. Relapse was detected in 78 of 328 patients in the follow-up period (based on clinical presentation in 55 patients, radiography in 19, and CT in 48). Only 11 of 78 relapses were found on CT in the absence of symptoms. Although a survival analysis was not conducted, the authors concluded that the yield of CT imaging was low in patients with stage I to III FL.
Can you monitor lymphoma without imaging?
Increasing evidence supports monitoring without surveillance imaging in the majority of lymphoma patients following completion of treatment. Although frequent scanning may identify relapses earlier than close clinical follow-up of patients, no OS benefit has been reported in most studies. Novel methods of disease detection may prove to be useful in the surveillance setting and eventually spare patients from the negative aspects of frequent imaging tests, including psychological impact, secondary cancers, and added financial burden.
Is there a follow up scan for Hodgkin lymphoma?
Despite the lack of evidence to support surveillance imaging in lymphomas, follow-up scans continue to be controversial and are still included as monitoring options in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) by both the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the European Society for Medical Oncology. 1-4 The impetus for these guidelines may be related to the potential curability of these 2 lymphoma subtypes, even in the relapsed setting. 5-8 In theory at least, patients may be in better condition and able to tolerate second-line therapy if the relapsed disease is detected earlier. However, studies that support such a strategy are subject to selection bias in favor of patients whose relapsed disease is discovered by planned imaging rather than on clinical grounds. These patients typically have less aggressive disease phenotypes than those presenting with symptoms, and therefore are more likely to have better outcomes regardless of the time of -disease detection. No studies have demonstrated a survival benefit in HL, and only one study suggests a survival advantage in DLBCL based on the results of follow-up imaging. 9
What tests are done to determine if you have non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?
Your doctor may recommend other tests, depending on your chance of getting other cancers and where your non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was located. Some of these are: Pulmonary function tests to measure how well your lungs are working. Colonoscopy. Skin exams.
How often should I get a mammogram?
Get a flu vaccine every year and a pneumonia vaccine every 5 years. If you're a woman, get a mammogram every year beginning at age 40. If you had radiation therapy and are younger than 40, your doctor may recommend starting mammograms ahead of schedule or getting regular MRI scans of your breasts. Your doctor may recommend other tests, depending on ...
What does it mean when a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is in remission
After treatment, your doctor may tell you that your non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is in "remission," which means your cancer isn't active anymore . It's natural to feel a swirl of emotions, but you'll also have a bunch of questions about what comes next. You'll probably need regular checkups and tests to look for signs the disease may have returned.
Is it better to get a scan or a physical exam for cancer?
Recent research, though, shows that scans aren' t any better at checking for signs that cancer has come back than blood tests and physical exams. So if you're not getting any scans as part of your follow-up care, it doesn't mean you're not getting the right care.
Can you get a scan for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?
But if lab tests or your symptoms show signs that your non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is coming back, you'll probably get a scan.
Diagnosis
Treatment
Clinical Trials
Alternative Medicine
Coping and Support
Preparing For Your Appointment
- The goal of Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment is to destroy as many of the lymphoma cells as possible and bring the disease into remission. Which treatments are right for you depends on the type and stage of your cancer, your overall health, and your preferences.