Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. For Hodgkin's lymphoma, chemotherapy is usually the primary treatment. A combination of multiple chemotherapy drugs is used to attack the cancer from different angles. Some common chemotherapy drug combinations for Hodgkin's lymphoma include ABVD, BEACOPP and Stanford V.
ABVD is a combination of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine. It is one of the most commonly used first-line treatments for Hodgkin's lymphoma. ABVD has fewer short-term side effects than other options but has a slightly higher chance of the cancer returning later.
BEACOPP is a more intensive chemotherapy regimen that contains bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone. BEACOPP has a higher cure rate compared to ABVD but also more side effects in the short term. It is usually reserved for patients with higher risk or more advanced disease.
Stanford V combines five chemotherapy drugs over five days in monthly cycles of treatment. It is an effective regimen for Hodgkin's lymphoma and has been a standard therapy at many cancer centers for many years.
Radiation Therapy for Hodgkin's Lymphoma
For some patients, radiation therapy may be recommended in addition to chemotherapy or sometimes on its own. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. It is a Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treatment, meaning it only affects the lymph nodes and areas where the cancer is or has been found by imaging tests and physical exam.
Radiation is often given after chemotherapy to destroy any remaining cancer cells that the drugs may have missed. Delivering radiation after chemotherapy also helps to reduce the risk of the cancer returning later in lymph node regions previously involved by the disease. For early stage disease, radiation alone may suffice as treatment without chemotherapy.
Stem Cell Transplant for Hodgkin's Lymphoma
For relapsed or treatment-resistant Hodgkin's lymphoma, an autologous stem cell transplant may provide a potential cure or extended remission. In an autologous transplant, a patient's own blood-forming stem cells are collected and stored while they receive high-dose chemotherapy. This destroys any remaining cancer cells but also wipes out the patient's normal bone marrow. The stored stem cells are then given back to rebuild the bone marrow and restore the immune system.
The high-dose chemotherapy given before a stem cell transplant is much more intensive than standard treatments. This "ablative" therapy is better able to eradicate any hard-to-treat cancer cells. Though the procedure itself carries significant side effects and risks in the short term, autologous stem cell transplants have proven successful in many patients with recurrent or refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Get more insights on Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treatment
