The treatment you'll have for Hodgkin lymphoma depends on:
- the type you have
- where it is in your body
- if it has spread to other parts of your body
- what symptoms you have
- your general health
There are 2 types of Hodgkin lymphoma – classical Hodgkin lymphoma and nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL)
You may be offered a combination of treatments including radiotherapy, chemotherapy and other medicines that target the cancer cells.
If you have nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) you can sometimes delay treatment if your cancer is slow growing. This is called "watch and wait".
For most people, treatment will get rid of the lymphoma completely. But there is a risk that it might come back and you need more treatment. If this happens, treatment may still be able to get rid of the lymphoma completely.
Your specialist treatment team will:
- explain the treatments, the benefits and side effects
- work with you to make a treatment plan that's best for you
- help you to manage the side effects of treatment
If you have any questions or worries, you can talk to your specialist team.
Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells. It's sometimes given alongside steroid medicine.
You may have chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma:
- as a first treatment, with or without radiotherapy
- if your first chemotherapy does not work, you may have a different type of chemotherapy instead.
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Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells in your glands (lymph nodes).
You may have radiotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma:
- after or with chemotherapy
- if you have large areas of lymphoma
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Targeted medicines kill cancer cells.
Immunotherapy is where medicines are used to help your immune system kill cancer.
You may have targeted medicines or immunotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma:
- if your cancer comes back after treatment or if treatment does not work
- if you have nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL)
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A stem cell transplant is where damaged blood cells are replaced with healthy ones.
You may have a stem cell transplant if your cancer has come back after treatment.
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If your cancer is slow growing, you may not need to have treatment straight away. Instead you’ll have regular tests to monitor your lymphoma. You’ll be offered treatment when tests show you need it.
Delaying treatment may be an option if you have nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL).
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Some treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma can affect your ability to have children (fertility).
Speak to your specialist team before treatment if you want to have children in the future.
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If you've been diagnosed with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma, it is sometimes harder to treat and not possible to cure.
The aim of treatment will be to slow down the growth and spread of the cancer, to help with the symptoms and help you live longer.
Finding out cancer cannot be cured can be very hard news to take in.
You'll be referred to a team of doctors and nurses called a palliative care team or symptom control team.
They will help you to manage your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable.
The palliative care team can also help you and your loved ones get any other support you need.
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