Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treatment Options

hodgkins-lymphoma-treatment-options

09.02.2018
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What is Hodgkin's Lymphoma?

Hodgkin's Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system (a part of immune system) in the body. As the aggressiveness of cancer cells progresses, it starts affecting the patient’s body’s ability to fight off the infection.

Hodgkin's Lymphoma is usually found in the lymph nodes present in the armpits, neck and groin, that start to swell as the cells spread in the body.

Immune System comprises of the lymphatic system which is a network of organ and tissues that help in extracting unwanted materials, waste and toxins from the body. Lymphatic System’s primary function is to manage lymph transportation, a fluid that contains white blood cells to the entire body that are also responsible for fighting against infection.  

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma spreads faster than other cancers, as the lymph that it attacks works as the transportation pathway that can spread the cancerous cells in the entire body. These blood cells become dysfunctional and start attacking the body and instead of the infection.

Symptoms of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

  • High Fever
  • Persistent Fatigue
  • Night Sweats
  • Unexplained Weight Loss
  • Unexplained Nausea
  • Painless swelling on the lymph nodes in the armpits, neck and groin
  • Increased sensitivity towards the effects of drugs and alcohol.

Causes of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Doctors are not sure what might produce cancer in the lymphatic nodes. But it originates when a lymphocyte (infection-fighting cell) genetically mutates, which tells it to multiply rapidly that causes abnormal multiplication of the diseased cells.

This mutation leads to the production of abnormal, oversized lymphocytes that accumulate in the lymph nodes, where they start attacking the healthy cells, causing the symptoms of Hodgkin's to develop in the body.

Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treatment Options

Chemotherapy – This treatment procedure uses traditional ideology in which the patient is given high-dozes of anti-cancer drugs orally or through IV, to kill and prevent malignant cells from spreading in the body.

Radiation Therapy – uses X-ray radiation as a means of targeted therapy, directing the radiation beams on the affected area, to achieve faster results.

Stem-Cell Transplant – In this procedure the damaged stem-cells from the patient’s lymph system are extracted and replaced with healthy stem cells, that can be collected from a donor or a family member. Stem-cell transplantation uses transfusion of immune cells and blood.  Before getting a stem-cell transplant the patients receive radiation therapy or chemotherapy that helps in destroying or killing the damaged bone marrow, to prevent production of any newly infected cells.

Bone Marrow Transplant – This is used when no other option seems to work for the patient. In this procedure, the infected bone marrow of the patient is replaced with healthy bone marrow.

Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treatment Cost

Depending on the procedure selected for treating the Hodgkin's Lymphoma the cost of the treatment can vary. A stem-cell transplant can cost the patient from $4,000 to $5,000, while the charges for radiation and chemotherapy for a time span of 6 weeks can range from $1,000 to $2,500.

FAQs

Can Hodgkin's Lymphoma be cured?

Hodgkin's Lymphoma is amongst the easily curable types of cancer, provided it is diagnosed in its early stages. Most patients who had Hodgkin's Lymphoma and detected the disease in its first two stages were able to recover completely from it.

Is Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treatment Expensive?

No, the cost of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is feasible compared to other treatment, but a developed country do charge a lot for cancer treatment. Patients can consider getting a medical visa and getting their treatment from India, where the cost of the procedure is 40% lesser than the price charged in the USA or the UK.

Is Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treatment Painful?

The answer to this question depends on the treatment that is being used by the patient. Surgery will, of course, cause mild pain during the recovery process in the patient’s body, while radiation therapy and chemotherapy will help kill the cancer cells without any incisions by using non-surgical methods for relieving the disease’s symptoms.

Apart from this Hodgkin’s Lymphoma produces symptoms like pain and fatigue in the body, which can be felt adversely in some cases.

Explore Medmonks.com to learn more about Hodgkin's Lymphoma and its Treatment Options available in India.

Neha Verma

A literature student, aspiring writer, fitness enthusiast and an abstractionist, with a curious mind..

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