Isabel Veloso has terminal cancer; Learn what Hodgkin's lymphoma is, its symptoms, and treatment opportunities

Hodgkin lymphoma: what it is and what are the symptoms

“Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system and usually affects mainly young people, although its incidence again peaks in people over the age of 60,” explains the hematologist of the Oncoclinicas Group, in Belo Horizonte, Dr. Caio César Ribeiro. “years.”

According to the doctor, it “corresponds to 0.5% of all types of cancer, and usually appears with the growth of lymph nodes in the neck or armpits, which are also known as tongues.” The disease can also affect the area near the heart, known as the mediastinum, and can manifest itself with chest pain and fatigue.

“Some patients may experience symptoms such as fever, night sweats, and weight loss. Itching all over the body is also relatively common. It is a disease that has a cure rate of more than 80-90% with treatment.

The hematologist adds: “The majority of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma are between 20 and 30 years old. However, Hodgkin lymphoma is a rare disease, with an incidence of 2 to 3 cases per 100,000 population per year.

Treatments

According to the doctor, treatment is carried out with chemotherapy, and in some cases it may include radiation therapy. “The treatment time usually depends on the stage of the disease and can last from two to six months,” he explains.

In Isabel Veloso's case, she underwent a bone marrow transplant, but the hematologist explains that not all patients need to undergo this procedure. “The vast majority of patients will only be cured with treatment that includes chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Bone marrow transplantation is essential for patients who experience disease relapse after the first treatment,” he explains.

“The relapse rate of the disease after bone marrow transplantation is about 50%, but there are some cases in which this rate may be higher or lower, and this depends mainly on how the disease appeared before the transplantation and how it is controlled during the operation.” He adds.

The final patient

Hematologists prefer not to use the term “terminal” to refer to the stage of the disease. “I cannot say that the term 'terminal' is appropriate for any cancer case. It is possible that this term is used in those patients for whom curative treatment can no longer be offered. This does not mean that strategies cannot be offered to the patient to improve their quality of life.

For patients who do not respond to treatment, he highlights some precautions that should be taken. “It is very important that a hematologist caring for a patient with this type of cancer explain the disease and expectations regarding symptom control and quality of life,” he begins.

“In addition, it is also very important that you are monitored by a palliative care doctor who will help the hematologist and the patient in providing care for a better life. We have recently created the Palliative Care Committee of the ABHH (Brazilian Association of Hematology and Hematology) which has brought more Progress and patient care.

“It is very difficult to determine the lifespan of any patient with disease that is refractory to available treatments. Hodgkin lymphoma can present periods of greater growth and stability and the period may be longer or shorter than that,” he explains.

Treatment opportunities

“I would like to point out that Hodgkin lymphoma is a disease that mainly affects young people and has high cure rates. We are seeing many advances in treatments for the disease and immunotherapy promises to improve rates even further. Detecting the disease in its initial stage makes it possible to treat more than “90% of patients, which makes early diagnosis very important.”