Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment for hodgkin disease

by Jordy Kovacek Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the main treatments for HL. Depending on the case, one or both of these treatments might be used. Certain patients might be treated with immunotherapy or with a stem cell transplant, especially if other treatments haven't worked.

Medication

The following factors have prognostic value at the first diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease:

  1. The clinical stage of the disease: the earlier the stage of the disease, the better the prognosis.
  2. Histological subtypes: lymphocyte-dominant type and nodular sclerosis type have better prognosis than mixed cell type, and lymphocyte-depleted type has the worst prognosis.
  3. The larger tumor cell load is worse.
  4. Poor people with systemic symptoms.

More items...

Procedures

It can happen at any age. But it is most common between the ages of 20 to 40 and over the age of 75. Anyone whose immune system isn't working properly is more likely to develop Hodgkin lymphoma. The immune system fights disease.

Therapy

  • It's bulky (the tumor is large)
  • HL is in 3 or more different areas of lymph nodes
  • There's cancer outside the lymph nodes (called extranodal involvement)
  • It's causing B symptoms
  • The ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) is high

Self-care

With end-stage renal disease, you need dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive. But you may also choose to forgo dialysis or transplant and opt for conservative care to manage your symptoms — aiming for the best quality of life possible during your remaining time.

Nutrition

How can the Hodgkin disease be prevented?

What does age do you develop Hodgkin disease?

How is Hodgkin lymphoma treated?

Is end stage kidney disease curable?

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What is the typical treatment for Hodgkin's disease?

The main treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma are chemotherapy alone, or chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. Occasionally, chemotherapy may be combined with steroid medicine. Surgery isn't generally used to treat the condition, except for the biopsy used to diagnose it.

How long is treatment for Hodgkin's?

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. It may be given through a vein (intravenously or IV), usually in your arm or hand, or in tablet form (orally).

Does Hodgkin's disease go away?

Many people with Hodgkin lymphoma are cured, but the treatments used can lead to health problems in the future. See your doctor regularly, get the recommended cancer screening tests , and tell your health care team about any changes you notice in how you feel.

What is the first line treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma?

First-line chemotherapy Newly diagnosed Hodgkin lymphoma is often treated with regimens that use a combination of chemotherapy drugs given at 1 time. The most commonly used combination of drugs in the United States is referred to as ABVD.

How do you get Hodgkin's disease?

Hodgkin lymphoma is caused by a change (mutation) in the DNA of a type of white blood cell called B lymphocytes. The exact reason why this happens isn't known. The DNA gives the cells a basic set of instructions, such as when to grow and reproduce.

What are the warning signs of lymphoma?

Signs and symptoms of lymphoma may include:Painless swelling of lymph nodes in your neck, armpits or groin.Persistent fatigue.Fever.Night sweats.Shortness of breath.Unexplained weight loss.Itchy skin.

Can Hodgkin's be cured without chemo?

If the initial treatment was radiation therapy alone, chemotherapy is usually given for recurrent disease. If chemotherapy without radiation therapy was used first, and the cancer comes back only in the lymph nodes, radiation to the lymph nodes can be done, with or without more chemo.

How long can a person live with Hodgkin's lymphoma?

Survival rates can give you an idea of what percentage of people with the same type and stage of cancer are still alive a certain amount of time (usually 5 years) after they were diagnosed....5-year relative survival rates for Hodgkin lymphoma.SEER Stage5-Year Relative Survival RateAll SEER stages combined88%3 more rows•Mar 2, 2022

Can you live a normal life after Hodgkin's lymphoma?

Survival Rate After Relapse Up to 90% of recurrences happen before the five-year mark. The occurrence of relapse after 10 years is rare. After 15 years, developing lymphoma is the same as its risk in the normal population. Even with a recurrence, many people with Hodgkin lymphoma go on to live long lives.

What is the most common treatment for lymphoma?

Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a widely used treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma that involves using medicine to kill cancer cells. It may be used on its own, combined with biological therapy, or combined with radiotherapy. The medication can be given in a number of different ways, depending on the stage of your cancer.

How long is chemo for lymphoma?

Chemotherapy drugs used for Hodgkin lymphoma The most common combination used to treat HL is called ABVD. This chemotherapy is given every 2 weeks for 2 to 8 months, depending on the stage and response to treatment. ABVD includes doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine.

How is Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosed?

Biopsy. A biopsy is the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope. Other tests can suggest that cancer is present, but Hodgkin lymphoma can only be diagnosed after a biopsy of an affected tissue, preferably by removal (or excision) of a lymph node.

What is the treatment for HL?

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the main treatments for HL. Depending on the case, one or both of these treatments might be used. Certain patients might be treated with immunotherapy or with a stem cell transplant, especially if other treatments haven’t worked. Except for biopsy and staging, surgery is rarely used to treat HL.

Why is it important to discuss all treatment options with your doctor?

It’s important to discuss all treatment options, including their goals and possible side effects, with your doctors to help make the decision that best fits your needs. You may feel that you need to make a decision quickly, but it’s important to give yourself time to absorb the information you have learned.

What do people with cancer need?

People with cancer need support and information, no matter what stage of illness they may be in. Knowing all of your options and finding the resources you need will help you make informed decisions about your care.

Why are clinical trials important?

Clinical trials are one way to get state-of-the art cancer treatment. In some cases they may be the only way to get access to newer treatments. They are also the best way for doctors to learn better methods to treat cancer. Still, they're not right for everyone.

What are the services offered by the American Cancer Society?

These might include nursing or social work services, financial aid, nutritional advice, rehab, or spiritual help. The American Cancer Society also has programs and services – including rides to treatment, lodging, and more – to help you get through treatment.

What is a hematologist?

A hematologist: a doctor who treats blood disorders, including lymphomas. You might have many other specialists on your treatment team as well, including physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, nutrition specialists, social workers, and other health professionals.

Can you cure HL?

For almost all people with HL, cure is the main goal. But treatment can have side effects, some that don’t show up for many years. Because of this, doctors try to choose a treatment plan with the lowest risk of possible side effects. Treating Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma, by Stage. Treating Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 treat Hodgkin lymphoma?

Treatment of recurrent classic Hodgkin lymphoma in adults may include the following: Targeted therapy with a monoclonal antibody ( brentuximab ). Combination chemotherapy followed by high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant .

How to treat Hodgkin lymphoma during pregnancy?

Labor may be induced and the baby delivered early so the mother can begin treatment. Radiation therapy when the cancer is above the diaphragm.

What is stage 2 adult Hodgkin lymphoma?

Stage II adult Hodgkin lymphoma is divided into stages II and IIE. In stage II, cancer is found in two or more groups of lymph nodes that are either above the diaphragm or below the diaphragm. Enlarge. Stage II adult lymphoma.

What are the two types of Hodgkin lymphoma?

Key Points. Adult Hodgkin lymphoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lymph system. The two main types of Hodgkin lymphoma are classic and nodular lymphocyte-predominant.

What is advanced unfavorable Hodgkin lymphoma?

Advanced unfavorable Hodgkin lymphoma means that the patient has 4 or more of the risk factors below. The more risk factors a patient has, the more likely it is that the cancer will come back after it is treated: Having a low blood albumin ( protein) level (below 4). Having a low hemoglobin level (below 10.5).

Is Hodgkin lymphoma higher in males or females?

Being male. The risk of adult Hodgkin lymphoma is slightly higher in males than in females. Past Epstein-Barr virus infection. Having an infection with the Epstein-Barr virus in the teenage years or early childhood increases the risk of Hodgkin lymphoma.

Is Hodgkin lymphoma a swollen lymph node?

Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma often presents as a swollen lymph node in the ne ck, chest, armpit, or groin. Most people do not have any other signs or symptoms of cancer at diagnosis.

What is Hodgkin's disease?

What is Hodgkin’s disease? Hodgkin’s disease (HD) is a type of lymphoma, which is a blood cancer that starts in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system helps the immune system get rid of waste and fight infections. HD is also called Hodgkin disease, Hodgkin lymphoma, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. HD originates in white blood cells ...

How long does Hodgkin's disease last?

According to the American Cancer Society, the relative survival rates for all people diagnosed with HD are as follows: The five-year survival rate is about 86 percent.

How to treat HD?

Treatment for HD typically depends on the stage of the disease. The main treatment options are chemotherapy and radiation. Radi ation therapy uses high-energy beams of radiation to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy involves the use of medications that can kill cancer cells.

How to diagnose HD?

To diagnose HD, your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask you about your medical history. Your doctor will also order certain tests so they can make a proper diagnosis. The following tests may be done: imaging tests, such as X-rays or CT scans.

Does Hodgkin's disease have long term side effects?

Risks of treatment for Hodgkin’s disease. Treatments for HD can have long-term side effects and can increase your risk of developing other serious medical conditions. HD treatments may increase your risk of: second cancers.

What is Brentuximab used for?

Brentuximab vedotin. Brentuximab vedotin is a relatively new drug used to treat a particular type of Hodgkin lymphoma. It is available on the NHS for people with CD30-positive Hodgkin lymphoma who: have already had a stem cell transplant using their own cells or cannot have chemotherapy.

How is Hodgkin lymphoma treated?

Treatment. Hodgkin lymphoma can usually be treated successfully with chemotherapy alone, or chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy.

How often do you get radiotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma?

Treatment is normally given in short daily sessions, Monday to Friday, over several weeks. You shouldn't have to stay in hospital between appointments.

What are the side effects of chemotherapy?

Other possible side effects of chemotherapy include: nausea and vomiting. diarrhoea. loss of appetite. mouth ulcers. tiredness. skin rashes. hair loss. infertility, which may be temporary or permanent (see complications of Hodgkin lymphoma for more information)

What kind of doctor do you see for Hodgkin lymphoma?

During your treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma, you may see any of the following professionals: specialist cancer nurse or "key worker" – who is the first point of contact between you and the members of the care team. haematologist – a specialist in blood and bone marrow disorders.

What is the treatment for cancer?

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment where medicine is used to kill cancer cells. This medication can be given in a number of different ways, depending on the stage of your cancer.

What is the MDT team for lymphoma?

This is known as a multidisciplinary team (MDT).

What is the treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma?

The main treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma are chemotherapy and radiation . One or both might be used. Hodgkin disease can be treated by a hematologist, who treats blood disorders; a medical oncologist, who uses chemotherapy; or a radiation oncologist, who uses radiation therapy. You might also encounter nutritionists, social workers, and others.

How many people in the US have Hodgkin lymphoma?

An estimated 8,500 people in the United States will likely be diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2018, according to the National Cancer Institute. In 2015, some 209,000 people in the United States were living with Hodgkin lymphoma. ( 1) With modern therapy, 85 percent of all patients area curable.

What is the most common drug used for cancer?

The most common regimen in the United States is a four-drug treatment called ABVD , consisting of the following drugs: Adriamycin (doxorubicin) Blenoxane (bleomycin) Velban (vinblastine)

Is immunotherapy a good treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma?

Immunotherapy Is Increasingly an Option for People With Hodgkin. Some patients with Hodgkin lymphoma are candidates for immunotherapy, ( 6) an umbrella term referring to efforts to boost the immune system to find and destroy cancer cells more effectively.

Can you get radiation for Hodgkin lymphoma?

The radiation is delivered as an external beam after doctors have taken careful measurements to determine where to guide the beam.

Is Hodgkin lymphoma a classical disease?

Most Hodgkin lymphomas are the classical type. There are a variety of treatments for lymphoma, each tailored to a particular form of lymphoma. Correct diagnosis is essential if patients are to be given the optimal treatment. Treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma depends on various factors, including not only the particular form ...

Is Adcetris considered first line treatment?

That is, it is now considered first-line treatment for those patients.

What is Brentuximab vedotin?

Brentuximab vedotin is a chimeric antibody directed against CD30, which is linked to the microtubule-disrupting agent monomethyl auristatin E. [ 5 - 7] CD30 is a target for therapy because it is expressed on malignant Reed-Sternberg cells of HL, but has limited expression on normal cells. Brentuximab is well tolerated by patients and can be used to achieve a clinical complete response before autologous or allogeneic SCT.

What are the symptoms of HL?

These and other signs and symptoms may be caused by adult HL or by other conditions: Painless, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, axilla, or inguinal area. Fever defined as 38ºC or higher. Drenching and recurrent night sweats.

Can a pregnant woman get Hodgkin lymphoma?

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) affects primarily young women, some of whom may be pregnant. When treating a pregnant woman, an oncologist will provide therapy that minimizes risk to the fetus. Treatment choice must be individualized, taking into consideration the following:

What causes Hodgkin's lymphoma?

Doctors aren't sure what causes Hodgkin's lymphoma. But it begins when an infection-fighting cell called a lymphocyte develops a genetic mutation. The mutation tells the cell to multiply rapidly, causing many diseased cells that continue multiplying.

What is the lymphatic system?

Your body's lymphatic system is part of your immune system, which protects you against infection and disease. The lymphatic system includes your spleen, thymus, lymph nodes and lymph channels, as well as your tonsils and adenoids.

Can Epstein-Barr cause Hodgkin's lymphoma?

Past Epstein-Barr infection. People who have had illnesses caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, such as infectious mononucleosis, are more likely to develop Hodgkin's lymphoma than are people who haven't had Epstein-Barr infections. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Hodgkin's lymphoma (Hodgkin's disease) care at Mayo Clinic.

Can a male have a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?

A family history of lymphoma. Having a blood relative with Hodgkin's lymphoma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma increases your risk of developing Hodgkin's lymphoma. Being male. Males are slightly more likely to develop Hodgkin's lymphoma than are females.

Is Hodgkin's lymphoma a non-Hodgkin's lympho

Hodgkin's lymphoma is one of two common types of cancers of the lymphatic system. The other type, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, is far more common. Advances in diagnosis and treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma have helped give people with this disease the chance for a full recovery. The prognosis continues to improve for people with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Clinical Trials

Coping and Support

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rakshith Bharadwaj
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Choice of treatment is based on the stage of lymphoma, severity, and overall health of the patient. Treatments include medications, radiation therapy, and bone marrow transplant.
Medication

Chemotherapy: Drugs to kill cancer cells.

Adriamycin . Bleomycin . Vinblastine . Dacarbazine

Procedures

Bone marrow transplantation: Also known as stem cell transplant, the therapy involves introducing healthy bone marrow stem cells from a donor.

Therapy

Radiation therapy:Uses high energy waves to destroy cancer cells.

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

  • Learn about the disease.
  • Get adequate rest.
  • Eat a healthy and nutritious diet.
  • Remain physically active.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Foods low in saturated fat: e.g. fish, lean meat, skinless poultry, eggs, nonfat and low-fat dairy products, nuts, seeds, legumes
  • Drink plenty of fluids: e.g. water, soup

Foods to avoid:

  • NA

Specialist to consult

Oncologist
Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Hematologist
Specializes in the study of the blood and blood disorders.

Preparing For Your Appointment

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Tests and procedures used to diagnose Hodgkin's lymphoma include: 1. A physical exam.Your health care provider may ask about your symptoms and conduct a physical exam. This might involve checking for swollen lymph nodes, including in your neck, underarm and groin, as well as a swollen spleen or liver. 2. Blood tests.…
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