Hodgkin's Disease

Home » Hodgkin's Disease » Treatment by Stage

Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Hodgkin’s Disease
(Free Handout)

Treatment by Stage

Early-stage HD
If Hodgkin's disease (HD) is in its early stages and disease is contained above the diaphragm, the large abdominal muscle that controls breathing, radiation therapy typically has been the treatment of choice (see Radiation). External beam radiation (delivered outside of the body by a machine) usually is aimed at the mantle field - the neck, chest, and lymph nodes under the arms. Occasionally, the patient's condition calls for total nodal irradiation - that is, radiation is directed at the nodes in the upper abdomen, lower pelvis, and the spleen.

In general, the radiation dose depends upon the stage of HD. However, if early stage cancer is found below the diaphragm, treatment may involve chemotherapy, with or without radiation therapy.

Late-stage HD
Late-stage HD (e.g., Stage 3) in adults who do not have much involvement of the chest may be managed by total nodal irradiation, with/without liver irradiation, or chemotherapy, with/without radiation therapy to areas of bulky disease.

Widespread HD
Adults with more extensive HD (e.g., Stage 4) often will be treated with chemotherapy alone or in combination with total nodal irradiation or radiation to areas of bulky disease, or bone marrow transplantation.

Recurrent HD
If the patient experiences a relapse (the disease comes back), treatment is determined by two things: (1) the previous form of therapy, and (2) the new location of disease. If the patient was first treated with radiation therapy, usually appearing within 2 years of treatment, then chemotherapy usually is given.

Adults who were first treated with chemotherapy usually will receive radiation therapy to the lymph nodes with/without more chemotherapy. HD recurrence at more that one site may warrant higher doses of chemotherapy and consideration of bone marrow transplantation.

© 1998-2009 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Hodgkin's Disease Resources

	Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Your Cancer The more knowledge you have, the easier it is to make decisions about your cancer treatment. Print this free handout to take with you on your next office visit.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Join Our Hodgkin's Disease Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted. National Cancer Survivors Day is June 7, 2009 Share your survival story and help others in the fight against cancer. Read stories already submitted
To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer