Treatment:

Treatment primarily depends on the following:

• The type of Hodgkin's lymphoma (most people have classic Hodgkin's)
• The stage (where the disease has spread)
• Whether the tumor is more than 4 inches (10 cm) wide
• The patient's age and other medical issues
• Other factors, including weight loss, night sweats, and fever

Tests will be done to see if the cancer has spread. This is called staging. Staging helps guide future treatment and follow-up and gives you some idea of what to expect in the future. Staging is necessary to determine your treatment plan. Stages of Hodgkin's lymphoma range from I to IV. The higher the staging number, the more advanced the cancer.

Treatment depends on your age and stage of the cancer.

• Stages I and II (limited disease) can be treated with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or both.
• Stages III is treated with chemotherapy alone or a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
• Stage IV (extensive disease) is most often treated with chemotherapy alone.

People with Hodgkin' s lymphoma that returns after treatment or does not respond to treatment may receive high-dose chemotherapy followed by an autologous bone marrow transplant (using stem cells from yourself).

Additional treatments depend on other symptoms. They may include:

• Transfusion of blood products, such as platelets or red blood cells, to fight low platelet counts and anemia
• Antibiotics to fight infection, especially if a fever occurs

Support Groups:

You can often ease the stress of illness by joining a support group of people who share common experiences and problems. See: Cancer - support group

Expectations (prognosis):

Hodgkin' s disease is considered one of the most curable forms of cancer, especially if it is diagnosed and treated early. Unlike other cancers, Hodgkin's disease is often very curable even in late stages.

With the right treatment, more than 90% of people with stage I or II Hodgkin's lymphoma survive for at least 10 years. If the disease has spread, the treatment is more intense but 90% of people with advanced disease survive 5 years.

Patients who survive 15 years after treatment are more likely to later die from other causes than Hodgkin' s disease.

People with Hodgkin' s lymphoma whose disease returns within a year after treatment or do not respond to the first-line therapy have a poorer prognosis.

You need to receive regular doctor's exams and imaging tests for years after treatment. This helps your doctor check for signs of the cancer returning, and to check for any long-term effects of treatments.

Complications:

Treatments for Hodgkin's lymphoma can have complications. Long-term complications of chemotherapy or radiation therapy include:

• Bone marrow diseases (such as leukemia)
• Heart disease
• Inability to have children (infertility)
• Lung problems
• Other cancers
• Thyroid problems

Chemotherapy can cause low blood cell counts, which can lead to an increased risk of bleeding, infection, and anemia. To reduce bleeding, apply ice and pressure to any bleeding. Use a soft toothbrush and electric razor for personal hygiene.

Infection should always be taken seriously during cancer treatment. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop fever or other signs of infection. Planning daily activities with scheduled rest periods may help prevent fatigue associated with anemia.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if:

• You have symptoms of Hodgkin's lymphoma
• You have Hodgkin's lymphoma and you have side effects from the treatment