One of the most common treatment options for Hodgkin's lymphoma is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy involves using powerful drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing and dividing. The goal of chemotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma is to treat the cancer throughout the body, including any cancer cells that may have spread beyond the lymph nodes.
Some common chemotherapy drugs used to treat Hodgkin's lymphoma include doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine, commonly known as ABVD. ABVD is considered the standard first-line chemotherapy treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma. It is usually administered through intravenous injections during an outpatient clinic visit every 2-3 weeks. Treatment typically involves 2-4 cycles of ABVD, depending on the stage and risk factors of the individual's cancer.
Other chemotherapy regimens like Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treatment similar drugs at higher doses and are sometimes used as alternative first-line treatments or for advanced stages of Hodgkin's lymphoma. The side effects of chemotherapy tend to be more severe but the treatment may work better at eliminating all cancer cells. Decisions about which chemotherapy protocol to use depend on various disease and patient characteristics.
Radiation Therapy
For patients who achieve remission after chemotherapy or whose cancer is confined to certain areas, radiation therapy may be recommended afterward to further treat any remaining cancer cells. Radiation directly targets the anatomical areas where Hodgkin's lymphoma was found, such as the lymph node regions in the neck, underarms, chest, abdomen, or pelvis.
External beam radiation therapy delivers high-energy x-ray beams to these areas from a machine outside the body. Treatment is usually given daily in short outpatient sessions, Monday through Friday, for 3-4 weeks. Some patients may require radiation therapy alone if their cancer is at an early stage and confined to a small localized region.
Stem Cell Transplant
For cases of Hodgkin's lymphoma that have relapsed or are resistant to initial treatments, a stem cell transplant may offer a potentially curative option. In this intensive procedure, the patient receives high-dose chemotherapy to prepare the body to receive new stem cells, which are blood-forming cells that help the body produce new blood cells.
The stem cells are collected from the patient beforehand through a process called peripheral blood stem cell harvest. Alternatively, stem cells may be donated by a matching sibling or unrelated donor. After chemotherapy, the stem cells are infused back into the patient intravenously to engraft and help reestablish the immune system that was destroyed by the high-dose chemo.
A stem cell transplant allows delivery of very high, intensive doses of chemotherapy that can better eliminate any remaining lymphoma cells compared to standard-dose treatments. However, it also brings a higher risk of complications and side effects that require extensive hospitalization and recovery time.
Surgery
Surgical removal of lymph nodes and surrounding lymph node tissue, known as lymph node dissection or biopsy, may play a role for some Hodgkin's lymphoma patients. Surgery is usually not the main treatment but can be used as a diagnostic tool to establish the specific cancer type and stage based on microscopic examination of lymph node samples.
Surgery may also be considered after chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy to remove any remaining enlarged lymph nodes not fully reduced by other treatments. This helps confirm there is no persistent disease. Rarely, surgery alone may be curative for early stage Hodgkin's lymphoma confined to an asymptomatic lymph node region that can be easily removed.
Targeted Drug Therapies
Newer classes of targeted drug therapies continue to emerge and show promise as alternatives or additions to standard chemotherapy regimens. These precisely act on specific molecular pathways and markers that drive Hodgkin's lymphoma growth.
Brentuximab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate approved to treat relapsed or refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma. It delivers chemotherapy directly to cancer cells expressing a surface protein called CD30. Other targeted therapies in development and clinical trials target immune checkpoint pathways like PD-1 that help lymphoma evade detection by the immune system.
With current multi-modality treatment approaches involving chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and sometimes stem cell transplants or novel drugs, the overall 5-year survival rate for Hodgkin's lymphoma exceeds 85-90% when diagnosed and treated early. Even for later stage disease, the 5-year survival rate can be as high as 75-80% with appropriate treatments. Ongoing advances seek to further increase cure rates while reducing long-term side effects. Close monitoring after initial treatment helps detect any potential recurrence early.
Get More Insights On Hodgkins Lymphoma Treatment
Get this Report in Japanese Language
Get this Reports in korean Language
About Author:
Alice Mutum is a seasoned senior content editor at Coherent Market Insights, leveraging extensive expertise gained from her previous role as a content writer. With seven years in content development, Alice masterfully employs SEO best practices and cutting-edge digital marketing strategies to craft high-ranking, impactful content. As an editor, she meticulously ensures flawless grammar and punctuation, precise data accuracy, and perfect alignment with audience needs in every research report. Alice's dedication to excellence and her strategic approach to content make her an invaluable asset in the world of market insights.
(LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alice-mutum-3b247b137 )