what can i expect during radiation treatment for hodgkin lymphoma

A typical course of radiation for Hodgkin

’s lymphoma would involve daily radiation treatments, Monday through Friday, for 3 to 5 weeks. The actual treatment with radiation generally last no more than a few minutes, during which time the patient is unlikely to feel any discomfort.

Full Answer

How is radiation therapy used to treat Hodgkin lymphoma?

Radiation Therapy for Hodgkin Lymphoma Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays (or particles) to destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy is part of the treatment for most people with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). It's especially useful when HL is only in one part of the body.

What are the side effects of radiation therapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

(See Immunotherapy for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma for more details.) The side effects of radiation therapy depend on where the radiation is aimed. Common side effects include: Skin changes in areas getting radiation, ranging from redness to blistering and peeling Nausea and diarrhea are more common if the abdomen (belly) is treated with radiation.

What is the best treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma?

Radiation therapy can also be used by itself to treat some cases of nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NHLPL) . Radiation therapy is often very good at killing HL cells. But over the years as it has become clear that chemotherapy also works very well.

What happens during radiation therapy treatment?

What happens during your radiation therapy treatment depends on the kind of radiation therapy you receive. External-beam radiation therapy delivers radiation from a machine outside the body. It is the most common radiation therapy treatment for cancer. Each session is quick, lasting about 15 minutes.

How does radiotherapy treat Hodgkin's lymphoma?

Radiotherapy is a common treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma. It uses high energy rays similar to x-rays to kill cancer cells.

What is the success rate of radiation therapy for lymphoma?

Usually these lymphomas present with stage I disease with rare perigastric nodal involvement. Radiation therapy is typically given at 1.5 Gy per fraction to a total dose of 30 Gy. The response rate is 95%, and the local failure rate is less than 10%.

What can you not do during radiation treatment?

Avoid raw vegetables and fruits, and other hard, dry foods such as chips or pretzels. It's also best to avoid salty, spicy or acidic foods if you are experiencing these symptoms. Your care team can recommend nutrient-based oral care solutions if you are experiencing mucositis or mouth sores caused by cancer treatment.

How long is lymphoma radiotherapy?

You usually have radiotherapy as an outpatient from Monday to Friday, with a break at the weekend. The length of your treatment will depend on the type and stage of the lymphoma. But it is normally no more than 3 weeks. We have more information about having radiotherapy and how it is planned.

What are the side effects of radiation treatment for lymphoma?

Possible side effects of radiation therapySkin changes in areas getting radiation, ranging from redness to blistering and peeling.Feeling tired.Dry mouth.Nausea.Diarrhea.

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.

What can I expect after my first radiation treatment?

The most common early side effects are fatigue (feeling tired) and skin changes. Other early side effects usually are related to the area being treated, such as hair loss and mouth problems when radiation treatment is given to this area. Late side effects can take months or even years to develop.

Can I drive myself to radiation treatments?

Unless you feel ill, you can typically drive yourself to treatment. In fact, many patients are able to work full-time during their treatment.

Should you rest after radiation treatment?

Many patients are able to go to work, keep house, and enjoy leisure activities while they are receiving radiation therapy.” Others find that they need more rest than usual and therefore cannot do as much. You should try to do the things you enjoy, as long as you don't become too tired.

What is the life expectancy of someone with Hodgkin's lymphoma?

They can't tell you how long you will live, but they may help give you a better understanding about how likely it is that your treatment will be successful....5-year relative survival rates for Hodgkin lymphoma.SEER Stage5-Year Relative Survival RateLocalized92%Regional94%Distant82%All SEER stages combined88%Mar 2, 2022

Does Hodgkin's lymphoma come back?

It's very important to go to all your follow-up appointments because HL can sometimes come back even many years after treatment. Some treatment side effects might last a long time or might not even show up until years after you have finished treatment (see Late and Long-term Side Effects of Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment).

What are the disadvantages of radiotherapy?

Ask your care team about the side effects you might get.Sore skin. In some people, radiotherapy can make the skin sore and red (similar to sunburn), darker than normal or dry and itchy. ... Tiredness. ... Hair loss. ... Feeling sick. ... Problems eating and drinking. ... Diarrhoea. ... Stiff joints and muscles. ... Sex and fertility issues.More items...

External Beam Radiation Therapy

External beam radiation therapy is the most common type of radiation therapy used in people with Hodgkin lymphoma. During treatment, a machine delivers X-ray beams to cancer cells.

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

In intensity modulated radiation therapy, large machines called linear accelerators deliver targeted energy beams to cancer cells. The intensity can be adjusted to increase the radiation dose to cancer cells and reduce the effects on normal tissue.

Managing Side Effects

The most common side effects of radiation therapy are a decrease in blood cell levels, fatigue, and a skin reaction. Other side effects vary depending on the parts of the body that are being treated. Your doctor discusses the side effects with you and helps you manage them.

How long does radiation treatment last for Hodgkin lymphoma?

The actual treatment with radiation generally last no more than a few minutes, during which time the patient is unlikely to feel any discomfort. Anesthesia is not needed for radiation treatments, and patients generally have few restrictions on activities during radiation therapy. Many patients continue to work during the weeks of treatment. Patients are encouraged, however, to carefully gauge how they feel and not overexert themselves.

How does radiation therapy work for Hodgkin's lymphoma?

Modern radiation therapy for Hodgkin’s lymphoma is given via machines called linear accelerators, which produce high-energy external radiation beams that penetrate the tissues and deliver the radiation dose deep into the areas where the cancer resides. These modern machines and other state-of-the-art techniques have enabled radiation oncologists to significantly reduce side effects, while improving the ability to deliver radiation to areas of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

How many people with Hodgkin's disease are in complete remission?

However, 20-30% of patients who achieve a complete remission ultimately experience cancer recurrence. The role of radiation therapy in achieving optimal control of advanced Hodgkin’s lymphoma has been controversial and there have been attempts to treat such patients with chemotherapy alone. The goal of treatment is to achieve the greatest cure rates coupled with the fewest side effects, so new combinations, doses and options are continually being explored.

What is radiation oncology simulation?

Of all of the visits to the radiation oncology facility, the simulation session may actually take the most time. During simulation, patients lie on a table somewhat similar to that used for a CT scan. The table can be raised and lowered and rotated around a central axis. The “simulator” machine is a machine whose dimensions and movements closely match that of an actual linear accelerator. Rather than delivering radiation treatment, the simulator lets the radiation oncologist and technologists see the area to be treated. The simulation is usually guided by fluoroscopy, so that a patient’s internal anatomy can be observed (mainly the skeleton, but if contrast material is given, the kidneys, bowels, bladder or esophagus can be visualized as well). The room is periodically darkened while the treatment fields are being set and temporary marks may be made on the patient’s skin with magic markers. The radiation oncologist is aided by one or more radiation technologists and often a dosimetrist, who performs calculations necessary in the treatment planning.

Does radiation help with Hodgkin's disease?

Involved Field Radiation: Patients with Hodgkin’s disease treated with radiation always receive treatment to the area where the lymphoma is located including adjacent lymph nodes. Usually a “boost” or extra dose of radiation is given to the area where the primary lymphoma was located.

External radiation therapy

During external radiation therapy (also called external beam radiation therapy), a machine directs radiation through the skin to the tumour and some of the tissue around it. Doctors give radiation to the smallest area possible to help lower the risk of side effects.

Side effects

Side effects can happen with any type of treatment for HL, but everyone’s experience is different. Some people have many side effects. Other people have only a few side effects.

Questions to ask about radiation therapy

Find out more about radiation therapy and side effects of radiation therapy. To make the decisions that are right for you, ask your healthcare team questions about radiation therapy.

The Traditional Role

Traditionally, the idea has been to see whether radiation therapy can be reduced in treating Hodgkin's lymphoma, and the reasons are thus: Radiotherapy comes with a risk of cardiac toxicities, as well as secondary cancers many years down the road-- a particular problem for young women with Hodgkin's who receive chest irradiation, as they have been found to be at a much higher risk for breast cancer than the general population..

A New Role for Radiation

According to Anas Younes, MD., radiation therapy still has a vital role to play in frontline treatment of Hodgkin's along with the combination chemotherapy regimen ABVD, in cases where complete remission following ABVD isn't achieved. Dr.

What is the treatment for lymphoma?

Radiation Therapy. Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation is a local therapy, which means it only affects cancer cells in the treated area. Radiation is sometimes used alone for certain localized lymphomas, either nodal or extranodal, ...

How long does it take to get a radiation dose?

The total dose of radiation is usually divided and given over one to six weeks.

What is the radiation field shielded by?

Normal tissues around the radiation field are shielded by lead, which blocks the path of stray radiation beams.

Where is radiation confined?

Radiation is generally confined to lymph nodes and the areas immediately surrounding lymph nodes or the area of origin if the lymphoma arose from an extranodal site. These fields are determined on a case-by-case basis and depend on the type of tumor and the extent of disease.

Is radiation used for lymphoma?

Radiation is sometimes used alone for certain localized lymphomas, either nodal or extra nodal, or may be combined with chemotherapy. A radiation field is the term used to describe the part of the body selected to receive radiation therapy.

What to expect when getting radiation therapy?

What to Expect When Having Radiation Therapy. It is normal to feel worried or overwhelmed when you learn that you will need radiation therapy. However, learning more about this type of cancer treatment may help you feel more prepared and comfortable.

How long does radiation therapy last?

It is the most common radiation therapy treatment for cancer. Each session is quick, lasting about 15 minutes. Radiation does not hurt, sting, or burn when it enters the body.

What type of doctor is responsible for radiation therapy?

Radiation oncologist. This type of doctor specializes in giving radiation therapy to treat cancer. A radiation oncologist oversees radiation therapy treatments. They work closely with other team members to develop the treatment plan. Radiation oncology nurse.

What is simulation in radiation therapy?

Simulating and planning treatment. Your first radiation therapy session is a simulation. This means it is a practice run without giving radiation therapy. Your team will use imaging scans to identify the tumor location.

Why is it important to be in the same position for radiation?

It is important for your body to be in the same position for each treatment. Your radiation oncology team cares about your comfort. Talk with the team to find a comfortable position that you can be in every time you come in for radiation therapy.

How often should you check for radiation?

During your treatment, your radiation oncologist will check how well it is working. Typically, this will happen at least once a week. If needed, they may adjust your treatment plan.

What is informed consent for radiation?

Giving permission for radiation therapy. If you choose to receive radiation therapy, your health care team will ask you to sign an "informed consent" form. Signing the document means: Your team gave you information about your treatment options. You choose to have radiation therapy.

What is the radiation treatment for NHL?

External beam radiation treatment for NHL might include beams made of photons (most common), protons or electrons depending on the situation. Before your treatment starts, your radiation team will take careful measurements to find the correct angles for aiming the radiation beams and the proper dose of radiation.

How long does radiation treatment last?

Most often, radiation treatments are given 5 days a week for several weeks. The treatment is much like getting an x-ray, but the radiation is stronger. The procedure itself is painless. Each treatment lasts only a few minutes, although the setup time – getting you into place for treatment – usually takes longer.

What are the side effects of radiation?

Common side effects include: Skin changes in areas getting radiation, ranging from redness to blistering and peeling. Feeling tired. Nausea. Diarrhea. Nausea and diarrhea are more common if the abdomen (belly) is treated with radiation.

Can radiation therapy be used for lymphoma?

Radiation therapy can be used to ease (palliate) symptoms caused by lymphoma that has spread to internal organs, such as the brain or spinal cord, or when a tumor is causing pain because it’s pressing on nerves.

Can radiation be used for non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

Radiation might be used to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in some different situations: It can be used as the main treatment for some types of NHL if they are found early (stage I or II), because these tumors respond very well to radiation.

Can radiation and chemotherapy be given together?

Side effects tend to be worse if radiation and chemotherapy are given together. Radiation techniques are much more advanced and can limit the radiation exposure to nearby organs, but long-term serious side effects are possible: Radiation to the chest might damage the lungs and lead to trouble breathing.

Can radiation cause diarrhea?

Diarrhea. Nausea and diarrhea are more common if the abdomen (belly) is treated with radiation. Radiation given to several areas, especially after chemotherapy, can lower blood cell counts and increase the risk of infections. Radiation to the head and neck area can lead to mouth sores and trouble swallowing.