How long does hodgkins treatment last

For example, newspapers, books or electronic devices can all help to pass the time. You can usually bring a friend or family member with you. You have some types of chemotherapy over several days.

You might be able to have some drugs through a small portable pump that you take home. For some types of chemotherapy you have to stay in a hospital ward. This could be overnight or for a couple of days.

Morning, Iris. My name is Clare. I am the nurse who is going to be looking after you today. And then I am going to come back to you and talk through the chemotherapy with you and the possible side effects you may experience throughout your treatment. Is that okay?

Each chemotherapy is made up for each individual patient, depending on the type of cancer they have and where it is and depending their height, weight and blood results. So, depending on where your cancer is some people have their chemotherapy drug, their cancer drug by drip, some will have an injection and other people will have tablets.

So, Iris, your chemotherapy is going to be given to you in what we call cycles and the cycles are given every three weeks for a period of six cycles. So, you will be coming in for approximately five months for your chemotherapy. Depending on where your cancer is and what type of cancer you have will be dependent on how often you come in for treatment. This can range from anything up to an hour to an all day treatment slot so please be prepared to bring along some bits to keep you occupied books and music.

You have these either a few days before or on the day you start treatment. You have blood tests before each round or cycle of treatment. Most side effects only last for a few days or so. Your treatment team can help to manage any side effects that you have. After some types of chemotherapy treatment you might develop long term effects weeks, months or years after the treatment has ended.

Different types of chemotherapy cause different problems. And doctors can't tell who will get a long term effect and who won't. Some chemotherapy used to treat Hodgkin lymphoma can cause damage to your ovaries or testicles. This can mean that you can't have children infertility. It is difficult for doctors to say definitely whether this will happen to you. It depends on:. Palliative care focuses on improving how you feel during treatment by managing symptoms and supporting patients and their families with other, non-medical needs.

Any person, regardless of age or type and stage of cancer, may receive this type of care. And it often works best when it is started right after a cancer diagnosis.

People who receive palliative care along with treatment for the cancer often have less severe symptoms, better quality of life, and report that they are more satisfied with treatment. Palliative treatments vary widely and often include medication, nutritional changes, relaxation techniques, emotional and spiritual support, and other therapies.

You may also receive palliative treatments similar to those meant to get rid of the cancer, such as chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. Before treatment begins, talk with your doctor about the goals of each treatment in the treatment plan. You should also talk about the possible side effects of the specific treatment plan and palliative care options. During treatment, your health care team may ask you to answer questions about your symptoms and side effects and to describe each problem.

Be sure to tell the health care team if you are experiencing a problem. This helps the health care team treat any symptoms and side effects as quickly as possible. It can also help prevent more serious problems in the future. Learn more about the importance of tracking side effects in another part of this guide. Learn more about palliative care in a separate section of this website. However, progressive disease is uncommon for people with Hodgkin lymphoma. If progression happens, it is a good idea to talk with doctors who have experience in treating it.

Doctors can have different opinions about the best standard treatment plan. Clinical trials might also be an option. Learn more about getting a second opinion before starting treatment, so you are comfortable with your chosen treatment plan.

Complete recovery from progressive Hodgkin lymphoma is not always possible. This treatment appears to be more effective for progressive Hodgkin lymphoma than standard chemotherapy.

Palliative care is also important to help relieve symptoms and side effects. For most people, a diagnosis of progressive Hodgkin lymphoma is very stressful and difficult. You and your family are encouraged to talk about how you feel with doctors, nurses, social workers, or other members of the health care team. It may also be helpful to talk with other patients, including through a support group. A remission is when lymphoma cannot be detected in the body and there are no symptoms.

A remission may be temporary or permanent. This uncertainty causes many people to worry that the cancer will come back. While many remissions are permanent, it is important to talk with your doctor about the possibility of the disease returning. Understanding your risk of recurrence and the treatment options may help you feel more prepared if the lymphoma does return.

Learn more about coping with the fear of recurrence. If the lymphoma returns following remission after the original treatment, it is called recurrent lymphoma. Recurrence is uncommon for people with Hodgkin lymphoma. However, if Hodgkin lymphoma does recur, a new cycle of testing much like that done at the time of diagnosis will begin again to learn as much as possible about the recurrence.

After this testing is done, you and your doctor will talk about the treatment options. Your doctor may suggest clinical trials that are studying new ways to treat this type of recurrent lymphoma. Whichever treatment plan you choose, palliative care will be important for relieving symptoms and side effects. People with recurrent lymphoma often experience emotions such as disbelief or fear. You are encouraged to talk with the health care team about these feelings and ask about support services to help you cope.

Recovery from Hodgkin lymphoma is not always possible. If the lymphoma cannot be cured or controlled, the disease may be called advanced or terminal. This diagnosis is stressful, and for many people, advanced cancer is difficult to discuss. However, it is important to have open and honest conversations with your health care team to express your feelings, preferences, and concerns. The health care team has special skills, experience, and knowledge to support patients and their families and is there to help.

Making sure a person is physically comfortable, free from pain, and emotionally supported is extremely important. It is also important to discuss newer treatment options that are being tested in clinical trials. Finding a second opinion may be useful, too. People who have advanced cancer and who are expected to live less than 6 months may want to consider hospice care. Hospice care is designed to provide the best possible quality of life for people who are near the end of life.

You and your family are encouraged to talk with the health care team about hospice care options, which include hospice care at home, a special hospice center, or other health care locations. Nursing care and special equipment can make staying at home a workable option for many families. Learn more about advanced care planning. After the death of a loved one, many people need support to help them cope with the loss.

Learn more about grief and loss. The next section in this guide is About Clinical Trials. It offers more information about research studies that are focused on finding better ways to care for people with lymphoma.

Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide. Therapies using medication Systemic therapy is the use of medication to destroy cancer cells. The types of systemic therapies used for Hodgkin lymphoma include: Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Each of these types of therapies is discussed below in more detail.

Chemotherapy Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells, usually by keeping the cancer cells from growing, dividing, and making more cells. First-line chemotherapy Newly diagnosed Hodgkin lymphoma is often treated with regimens that use a combination of chemotherapy drugs given at 1 time. Second-line chemotherapy There are several second-line treatments available for Hodgkin lymphoma. Learn more about the basics of chemotherapy.

Immunotherapy Immunotherapy, also called biologic therapy, is designed to boost the body's natural defenses to fight the cancer. Radiation therapy Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays or protons to destroy cancer cells. These include: Involved-site radiotherapy, which focuses the radiation on the lymph nodes that contain cancer.

Learn more about the basics of radiation therapy. Physical, emotional, and social effects of cancer Cancer and its treatment cause physical symptoms and side effects, as well as emotional, social, and financial effects. Progressive Hodgkin lymphoma "Progressive disease" is the term used when the cancer becomes larger or spreads while the original lymphoma is being treated.

Remission and the chance of recurrence A remission is when lymphoma cannot be detected in the body and there are no symptoms. Learn more about dealing with cancer recurrence. If treatment does not work Recovery from Hodgkin lymphoma is not always possible.

Types of Cancer. There are different types of CVADs, including: central lines — inserted into the chest or neck Hickman lines — inserted into the chest PICC peripherally inserted central catheter lines — inserted into the arm port-a-caths ports — a small device inserted under the skin of the chest or arm. Video: What is chemotherapy? Podcast: Making Treatment Decisions Listen now.

Key resource Download a PDF booklet on this topic. This information was last reviewed in April View who reviewed this content. Need to talk? Call 13 11 20 to talk to a health professional Or email us your questions.

Support services Coping with cancer? Speak to a health professional or someone who has been there, or find a support group or forum Looking for transport, accommodation or home help? Cancer information Making cancer treatment decisions Decision-making steps, consent and second opinions Chemotherapy common questions Addresses chemotherapy concerns such as pain, time and pregnancy.

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