Treatments

What is Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Known as HL, Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a disease that affects the lymphatic system in the presence of unusual cells called Reed-Sternberg cells. It usually originates in the lymph nodes and may invade the spleen, bone marrow, and liver when the disease is untreated.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is divided into two main types:

• Classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma (CHL) is further divided into subtypes according to histological cell features and the extent of axillary lymph node metastases.
• Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NLPHL): This is a sub-form with certain distinctive features and a milder course.

Signs & Symptoms of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is known to be curable if it is detected early enough. Common symptoms include:

• Enlarged Lymph Nodes: swelling in the neck, underarm, or groin.
• Persistent Fatigue: tiredness that won’t go away, even with rest.
• Unexplained Weight Loss: Loss of weight without changing diet or exercise.
• Fever and Night Sweats: fever and sweating, especially at night.
• Itchy Skin: An itch that won’t go away, with no apparent reason.
• Chest Pain or Cough: Swollen lymph nodes pressing on the trachea or the lungs.

If you begin to see these signs, please do not hesitate to contact a Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer doctor in Delhi so they might be diagnosed immediately.

Treatment Options for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Like any other type of cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma has a high rate of cure; this is due to early diagnosis. It depends on the stage, type, and general health of the patient so as to determine which treatments to adopt. Common treatment options include:

1.  Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy employs the use of drugs that are directly destructive to cancer cells or that prevent their further expansion. It is the first line of therapy for many types of Hodgkin’s lymphoma and may require using cyclical combinations of drugs.

2. Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy utilizes radiation that has higher energy that is used to attack and kill carcinogenic cells. It is applied concurrently with chemotherapy in stage II Hodgkin’s lymphoma or for the removal of tumor residuals after chemotherapy.

3. Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy involves the use of the body’s immune system in trying to detect and destroy cancer cells. It is an experimental therapy for aggressive or relapsed diseases.

4. Stem Cell Transplant

In those who do not respond to such treatments, a stem cell transplant may be suggested. It encompasses cleaning of the affected area through the use of stem cells in countering affected bone marrow.

Cancer—more specifically, Hodgkin’s lymphoma—can be considered a life-threatening disease; however, it has recently become characterized by high curability when using modern medicine. If your body has any symptoms or has been diagnosed, consult Dr. Kumardeep Dutta Choudhury, a Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer specialist in Delhi.