At Fred Hutch Cancer Center, our team of experts cares for people with Hodgkin lymphoma every day. Hodgkin lymphoma is cancer of the lymph system. It is one of the most curable forms of cancer, and it can be cured or controlled for many years in most people. Advances in diagnosis and treatment have helped give people with this disease a chance at full recovery.
Your Fred Hutch medical oncologist, hematologist, radiation oncologist and pathologist specialize in finding out your specific type, subtype and stage of lymphoma. They will customize a combination of advanced treatments to create the best possible outcome for you.
As part of our holistic approach to treating our patients, we’ll also connect you with our in-house social workers, psychiatrists and other supportive care services. Because at Fred Hutch, we are in this together.
Fred Hutch: A Leader in Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment
Where you are treated matters. Coming to Fred Hutch after a Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis means you are now at the center of one of the most experienced, research-driven, comprehensive cancer care centers in the country.
At Fred Hutch, we are dedicated to giving you the most positive outcome possible. And we are here with you every step of the way.
Your First Appointment
From the first time you come to see us, your Hodgkin lymphoma team will begin getting to know you and your family. What are your questions? What are your concerns?
During your first appointment, your hematologist-oncologist will explain your type and subtype of Hodgkin lymphoma. They will tell you how it’s treated and which tests you need to help plan your care. Before you leave, your team will make sure you understand the next steps.
Learn About Hodgkin Lymphoma
Hodgkin lymphoma is caused when something goes wrong inside the lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell made in the bone marrow and found in the blood and lymph tissue.
Usually, healthy lymphocytes help our bodies fight infection. In lymphoma, the lymphocytes don’t mature and can’t do their normal immune functions to defend against infection. The lymphoma cells don’t die off like they should. Instead, they collect in the lymph nodes.
Treatment for Hodgkin Lymphoma
Hodgkin lymphoma can now be cured or controlled for many years in most people who have the disease.
Depending on the type, subtype and stage of your disease, Fred Hutch offers comprehensive treatment plans that may include chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, blood or marrow transplant or clinical trials. Access to clinical trials is one reason many people come to us for care.
Hodgkin Lymphoma Care Team
As you go through treatment, your needs may change. Your care team at Fred Hutch is with you each step of the way. For example, we will help you deal with any side effects you have. We may suggest adding a new therapy that was just approved. Even after your Hodgkin lymphoma treatment is complete, we will keep seeing you to protect your health over the long term.
“There are clinical trials that may help improve how we treat patients, either by increasing cure rates, or by decreasing the side effects of treatment while maintaining high rates of success.”
— Ryan C. Lynch, MD, hematologist-oncologist
Our Approach to Treatment
The safest, most effective and most widely accepted therapies for cancer are known as the “standard of care.” For many patients, these therapies will be a large part of their treatment. At Fred Hutch, we provide all standard therapies for Hodgkin lymphoma. We know how to choose the right ones for you and how to deliver them to give you the best chance at a full recovery.
Our physicians and researchers are always asking how we can make Hodgkin lymphoma treatments better and reduce side effects as much as possible. This is why we do clinical trials (also called clinical studies). Through these trials, we are able to offer you therapies that aren’t offered everywhere. A therapy that is going through trials now may become the new standard of care tomorrow.
Along with treating your cancer, a group of world-class professionals is here to support you. From nurses and dietitians to physical therapists and psychologists, we integrate supportive care services to promote your physical, mental and emotional well-being.
Role of the Caregiver
When someone close to you is diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, you might step into the role of caregiver. Being a caregiver can mean many things, from lending a hand with daily living tasks to helping with medical decisions. It can also mean dealing with your own emotions and stress.
At Fred Hutch, caregivers are valuable members of a patient’s care team. We see every day that your presence and support make a difference. We know that what your friend or family member is going through affects you, too.
Part of our mission is to help you take care of yourself. Caring for yourself is good for your physical, mental and emotional health. It also helps you give your best to your loved one. Our social workers, Spiritual Health team and Patient and Family Resource Center staff are here to help support you.
Latest Treatments and Clinical Trials
Many Hodgkin lymphoma patients at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center receive promising therapies by joining clinical trials. These research studies are done by physician-scientists from Fred Hutch. They test new treatments or new ways to use current treatments.
We have clinical trials for all stages of Hodgkin lymphoma. These therapies work well on Hodgkin lymphoma:
- Chemotherapy regimens
- Antibody therapies
- Immunotherapies
In the past decade, research into antibody therapies and immunotherapies has found new ways to control Hodgkin lymphoma or put it into remission. Fred Hutch is a national leader in advancing these and other options, bringing new hope to patients.
When your care team designs your treatment plan, they will give you the choice to join clinical trials that match your situation. If you decide to join one, you will see the same physicians and nurses as you would for standard therapy.
Your care team will talk with you about if you might want to join a particular study and why. This can help you make the decision that is best for you.