Hodgkins Disease (cont.)
Treatment for Hodgkin's disease
The doctor develops a treatment plan to fit each patient's needs.
Treatment for Hodgkin's disease depends on the stage of the disease, the
size of the enlarged lymph nodes, which symptoms are present, the age and
general health of the patient, and other factors. (Treatment for children
with Hodgkin's disease is not discussed here. The Cancer Information Service
and the other resources listed under "National Cancer Institute Information
Resources" can provide up-to-date information about Hodgkin's disease in
children).
Patients with Hodgkin's disease may be vaccinated
against the flu, pneumonia,
and meningitis.
They should discuss a vaccination plan with their
health care provider.
Hodgkin's disease is often treated by a team of specialists that may
include a medical oncologist, oncology nurse, and/or radiation oncologist.
Hodgkin's disease is usually treated with radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
The doctors may decide to use one treatment method or a combination of
methods.
Taking part in a clinical trial (research study) to evaluate promising
new ways to treat Hodgkin's disease is an important option for many people
with this disease. For more information, see the "Clinical Trials" section.
Getting a second opinion
Before starting treatment, patients may want a second opinion to confirm
their diagnosis and treatment plan. Some insurance companies require a
second opinion; others may cover a second opinion if the patient or doctor
requests it.
There are a number of ways to find a doctor who can give a second
opinion:
- The patient's doctor may be able to suggest
specialists to consult.
- The Cancer Information Service, at 1-800-4-CANCER,
can tell callers about cancer treatment facilities, including cancer centers
and other programs supported by the National Cancer Institute.
- Patients can get the names of doctors from their
local medical society, a nearby hospital, or a medical school.
- The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) has a list of doctors
who have met certain education and training requirements and have passed
specialty examinations. The Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified
Medical Specialists lists doctors' names along with their specialty and
their educational background. The directory is available in most public
libraries. Also, ABMS offers this information on the Internet at http://www.abms.org.
(Click on "Who's Certified.")
Preparing for treatment
Many people with cancer want to learn all they can about their disease
and their treatment choices so they can take an active part in decisions
about their medical care. When a person is diagnosed with cancer, shock and
stress are natural reactions. These feelings may make it difficult for
people to think of everything they want to ask the doctor. Often, it helps
to make a list of questions. To help remember what the doctor says, patients
may take notes or ask whether they may use a tape recorder. Some people also
want to have a family member or friend with them when they talk to the
doctor -- to take part in the discussion, to take notes, or just to listen.
These are some questions a patient may want to ask the doctor before
treatment begins:- What is my exact diagnosis?
- What is the stage of the disease?
- What are my treatment choices? Which do you
recommend for me? Why?
- What are the risks and possible side effects of
each treatment?
- What side effects should I report to you?
- How long will treatment last?
- What are the chances that the treatment will be
successful?
- Will treatment affect my normal activities? If
so, for how long?
- Are new treatments under study? Would a
clinical trial be appropriate for me?
- What is the treatment likely to cost?
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Patients do not need to ask all their questions or remember all the
answers at one time. They will have other chances to ask the doctor to
explain things and to get more information.
Next: Methods of treatment »
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