Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment Options

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, you’re likely researching your treatment options. Fortunately, advances in early detection and new therapies give patients a better chance of full recovery. 

The hematologist who likely diagnosed your condition is also a cancer specialist, called an oncologist. The oncologist will develop a personalized treatment plan and discuss each step with you. The specific plan depends on several factors, including:

• The type of Hodgkin lymphoma (most people have classical Hodgkin lymphoma)
• The stage which is based on the number of lymph nodes where cancer was found and whether it’s grown outside of the lymph system.
• Whether the tumor is large (also called bulky).
• The symptoms you experience, such as weight loss, drenching night sweats, or fever. These are called B symptoms.
• Personal medical history and current health condition.

Your cancer care team at Compass Oncology includes several specialists in the treatment planning process. In addition to the hematologist/oncologist, a radiation oncologist and, if needed, a surgeon will be consulted. Other staff providing support throughout your treatment include advanced practice providers, oncology nurses, registered dietitians, and social workers. This multifaceted approach to care ensures that patients receive a personalized treatment plan that also addresses their daily lives throughout treatment.

Treatment options for Hodgkin lymphoma may include one or a combination of the following: 

When Chemotherapy is Used for Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment

Chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma uses a combination of drugs given through a vein so that it can reach cancer cells in the lymph system. At Compass Oncology, chemotherapy treatments are given to patients at our cancer centers in the Portland and Vancouver areas.

The stage of your Hodgkin lymphoma and the type of anticancer drugs used determines the rest period and the number of treatment cycles.

Radiation Therapy for Hodgkin Lymphoma 

Radiation therapy (or radiotherapy) for Hodgkin lymphoma uses high-energy rays to destroy lymphoma cells when a tumor has formed. It’s typically given in combination with chemotherapy. Together, these two treatments tend to be successful in shrinking a tumor that’s found, typically in the chest.

External beam radiation therapy is the most commonly used type for Hodgkin lymphoma. A large machine called a linear accelerator is pointed at the exact spot where treatment is needed. Treatments are repeated five days a week for several weeks in the same location on the body to ensure that all the cancer cells are destroyed. Compass Oncology patients can receive radiation therapy at our cancer centers.

Immunotherapy for Hodgkin Lymphoma 

Immunotherapy has emerged as a treatment option for Hodgkin lymphoma, especially in cases of recurrence or resistance to other therapies. Immunotherapy drugs enhance the immune system's ability to identify and kill cancer cells. 

Antibodies are proteins made by the immune system to fight infections. Lab-made versions, known as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), are created to target specific substances on the surface of lymphocytes, the cells where Hodgkin lymphoma develops.

Checkpoint inhibitors are another type of immunotherapy that has proven effective in blocking proteins that suppress the immune system's ability to target cancer cells. These drugs target PD-1, a protein on certain immune system cells (called T cells) that normally helps keep these cells from attacking other cells in the body. Blocking PD-1 allows the drugs to boost the immune response against cancer cells, which can shrink some tumors or slow their growth. 

Depending on the exact treatment plan, you may experience various side effects that your cancer care will closely monitor. If Hodgkin lymphoma comes back after immunotherapy treatment, hematologists call this a relapse or recurrence. People with Hodgkin lymphoma that returns after initial treatment may receive chemotherapy, radiation, or both, followed by a stem cell transplant.

Treating Recurrent Hodgkin Lymphoma 

If Hodgkin lymphoma comes back after treatment, hematologists and oncologists call this a recurrence. The right treatment plan at that time will depend on the treatments given initially and how you responded to them. Stem cell transplants are more likely for these patients. 

Understanding Bone Marrow Transplants

If, following your treatment, the cancer returns, you may receive a bone marrow transplant. This multiple-step procedure will regenerate the blood-forming stem cells inside your bones. If possible, they will collect your own stem cells before you’re given high doses of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both. The high doses kill Hodgkin lymphoma and healthy blood cells found in the bone marrow. This is called an autologous transplant. If the stem cells are collected from someone else, it’s called an allogeneic transplant.

Bone marrow transplants occur in a hospital setting. Your stem cells are removed before receiving a high-dose treatment and may be treated to destroy lymphoma cells. Next, the stem cells are frozen and properly stored. Once you've received the high-dose treatment to destroy the Hodgkin lymphoma cells, your stored cells are thawed and placed back in your body via a flexible tube placed in a large vein in your neck or chest area. From there, new blood cells are created from the transplanted stem cells. 

New blood cells formed from the transplanted stem cells have emerged as another promising treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma, especially in cases of relapse or resistance to other therapies. Checkpoint inhibitors can also effectively block proteins that suppress the immune system's ability to target cancer cells. Such approaches offer new hope for patients who may not respond to conventional treatments or experience disease recurrence. 

Clinical Research Trial Options for Hodgkin Lymphoma

Clinical research trials are also available with the most leading-edge treatment options. Compass Oncology actively participates in clinical research through the Sarah Cannon Research Institute, one of the world’s leading oncology research organizations conducting community-based clinical trials. The oncologist will discuss possible trial participation if one is right for you. 

Personalized Treatment Plans for Hodgkin Lymphoma in Portland and Vancouver

At Compass Oncology, our hematologic oncologists create a customized treatment plan for each lymphoma patient. We also offer second opinions to evaluate an existing treatment plan and determine if it is the best approach for you.