Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment at GenesisCare

No one is sure what causes Hodgkin lymphoma, but you’re more likely to be affected if:

• A close relative has had Hodgkin lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)

• You already have a disease that has weakened your immune system

• You take medicine to suppress your immune system

• You’ve had the Epstein-Barr virus (which causes glandular fever)

• A lump in your neck, groin or armpit. This may ache or be painless
• An itchy rash all over your body
• Breathlessness and a cough that doesn’t go away
• Feeling tired all the time
• Having lots of infections
• Night sweats
• Unexplained weight loss

Having one or more of these symptoms doesn’t mean you have cancer but it’s best to ask your doctor for advice. The sooner your cancer is detected, the better the chances of treating it successfully.

Your doctor will discuss your symptoms and give you a thorough physical examination. Tests may also include:

• A biopsy – when a tiny sample of tissue is taken from the lymph node or bone marrow for analysis

• Blood tests

• X-ray

• Scans including CT and MRI

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy kills cancer cells. It’s used in the early stages of cancer treatment or after it has started to spread. It can also be used to relieve pain and discomfort from cancer that has spread.

There are many ways to have radiation therapy but they all work in a similar way. Carefully controlled high-energy X-rays destroy or damage cancer cells. This stops them growing or spreading.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is medication that treats your cancer. The drugs kill cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and spreading further.

We understand that you may still have some unanswered questions, and we’re here to help you in any way we can. But if you are still seeking answers visit Targeting Cancer for further information about this condition or contact a staff member from a centre near you.