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Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment

Hodgkin lymphoma is a form of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, part of the body’s immune system.

White blood cells called lymphocytes help to fight infection in healthy people. In Hodgkin lymphoma, a certain type of lymphocyte (B-cells) develop an error. They begin to grow out of control. This can cause lymph nodes to swell.

The cancer can begin anywhere in the lymphatic system (lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen, or tonsils) and can spread to the other parts of the lymphatic system or other places in the body such as the liver, lungs, or bones.

The main symptom is swollen, painless lymph nodes that don’t go away on their own. Other symptoms include fever, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue and itchy skin (pruritis).

Children younger than 5 rarely have Hodgkin lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphoma is more common in teens and young adults.

Survival rates for Hodgkin lymphoma are more than 90%.

Hodgkin lymphoma treatment

Chemotherapy (“chemo”) is the most common treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma.

Treatment may also include radiation therapy. For many patients, the need for radiation therapy depends on how their body responds to chemotherapy treatment.

Targeted therapy may also be an option. It is usually used along with traditional chemotherapy.

Learn more about Hodgkin lymphoma on the Together by St. Jude™ online resource.


Hodgkin lymphoma clinical trials

St. Jude offers clinical trials and cancer research studies for children, teens, and young adults for Hodgkin lymphoma. Learn more about clinical research at St. Jude.

Recruiting
cHOD17: Risk-Adapted Therapy for Children and Young Adults with Hodgkin Lymphoma

Study goal:

The main goal of this study is to see if this approach can reduce treatment-related late effects in children and young adults with Hodgkin lymphoma.

Age:

21 years or younger (low-risk patients)
25 years or younger (high-risk patients)

Clinical trial categories:

Childhood Cancer Hodgkin Lymphoma Lymphoma
Recruiting
HODNIRS: Cardiopulmonary Function and Cerebral Blood Flow in Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors

Study goal:

Understand the relationship among cardiopulmonary function, carotid sinus baroreceptors and CO2 sensing organs, and cerebral blood flow regulation in Hodgkin lymphoma survivors

Age:

Age 18 and up

Clinical trial categories:

Lymphoma Hodgkin Lymphoma

Hodgkin lymphoma care at St. Jude

  • St. Jude has health care providers who specialize in treating Hodgkin lymphoma.
  • Researchers continue to study ways to reduce the amount of treatment and maintain cure rates. This approach should reduce the long-term side effects of treatment.
  • St. Jude houses the Pediatric Hodgkin Lymphoma Consortium. Its goal is to develop new treatment strategies for children with Hodgkin lymphoma.
    The group includes:
    • St. Jude
    • Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford
    • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital
    • Massachusetts General Hospital
    • Maine Medical Center

Scientists work with doctors to learn more about how viruses like the Epstein-Barr virus may lead to Hodgkin lymphoma. This information may help develop new treatments. 

A statue of children running and holding hands

Seeking treatment at St. Jude

Patients accepted to St. Jude must have a disease we treat and must be referred by a physician or other qualified medical professional. We accept most patients based on their ability to enroll in an open clinical trial.

How to seek treatment

Contact the Physician / Patient Referral Office

Call: 1-888-226-4343 (toll-free) or 901-595-4055 (local)  | Fax: 901-595-4011 | Email: referralinfo@stjude.org | 24-hour pager: 1-800-349-4334

 

Learn more