TreatmentMain treatments for Hodgkin lymphomaThe treatment you'll have for Hodgkin lymphoma depends on:
There are 2 types of Hodgkin lymphoma - classical Hodgkin lymphoma and nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) You may be offered a combination of treatments including radiotherapy, chemotherapy and other medicines that target the cancer cells. If you have nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) you can sometimes delay treatment if your cancer is slow growing. This is called "watch and wait". For most people, treatment will get rid of the lymphoma completely. But there is a risk that it might come back and you need more treatment. If this happens, treatment may still be able to get rid of the lymphoma completely. Your specialist treatment team will:
If you have any questions or worries, you can talk to your specialist team. ChemotherapyChemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells. It's sometimes given alongside steroid medicine. You may have chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma:
Find out moreRadiotherapyRadiotherapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells in your glands (lymph nodes). You may have radiotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma:
Find out more Targeted medicines and immunotherapyTargeted medicines kill cancer cells. Immunotherapy is where medicines are used to help your immune system kill cancer. You may have targeted medicines or immunotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma:
Find out moreStem cell transplantA stem cell transplant is where damaged blood cells are replaced with healthy ones. You may have a stem cell transplant if your cancer has come back after treatment. Find out moreWatch and waitIf your cancer is slow growing, you may not need to have treatment straight away. Instead you'll have regular tests to monitor your lymphoma. You'll be offered treatment when tests show you need it. Delaying treatment may be an option if you have nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL). Find out moreHodgkin lymphoma and fertilitySome treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma can affect your ability to have children (fertility). Speak to your specialist team before treatment if you want to have children in the future. Find out moreWhat happens if you've been told your cancer cannot be curedIf you've been diagnosed with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma, it is sometimes harder to treat and not possible to cure. The aim of treatment will be to slow down the growth and spread of the cancer, to help with the symptoms and help you live longer. Finding out cancer cannot be cured can be very hard news to take in. You'll be referred to a team of doctors and nurses called a palliative care team or symptom control team. They will help you to manage your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable. The palliative care team can also help you and your loved ones get any other support you need. Find out moreSexual Health AdviceThroughout this series we have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. The topics covered in this series include:
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