Current treatment plans for Hodgkin’s lymphoma use new types and doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy aimed at smaller areas of the body.
Most people with classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma, even stage I or II, often receive chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy to the affected lymph node areas. For stage III or IV disease, chemotherapy is the primary treatment, although additional radiation therapy may be recommended, especially in large lymph node areas.
Treatment options and recommendations depend on several factors, including the type and stage of the cancer, possible side effects, the results of scans during treatment, as well as the patient’s preferences and overall health.
Your care plan may also include treatment for symptoms and side effects, an important part of cancer care.
Techniques Available to Fight Hodgkin’s Disease
The three main treatments are chemotherapy, radiation therapy and bone marrow or stem cell transplantation.
Patients who have been treated for Hodgkin’s lymphoma have an increased risk of developing other diseases or conditions in the future, since chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause permanent damage. Treatments have improved in recent years, and patients are now less likely to have late effects. However, there are still some risks. Therefore, it is important that patients visit their specialists regularly for follow-up care to monitor any side effects.
Some of the side effects of treatment may include infertility, secondary cancer, lung and heart damage, thyroid problems and emotional problems.
What’s new in Hodgkin’s disease research?
Hematology specialists are working to learn more about Hodgkin’s lymphoma, how to prevent it, what the best treatment is, and how to provide the best care for people diagnosed with the disease. It is advisable to always talk to your doctor about the best diagnostic and treatment options for each case. New developments include:
– Determining the effectiveness of treatment.
– New chemotherapy/targeted therapy
– Immunotherapy
– Genetic profiling
– Other treatments
– Reduction of treatment intensity
– Palliative care