281-647-7766
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Suite #4C, Katy, TX 77494
Suite #4C, Katy, TX 77494
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Fri: 8:30 – 4:00 · Sat: 9:00 – 1:00
Fri: 8:30 – 4:00 · Sat: 9:00 – 1:00
281-647-7766
Home/Cancer Treatment/Hodgkin Lymphoma
Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the most curable cancers, and getting the right treatment from the start matters. Board-certified oncologists Dr. Mohammad Riaz and Dr. Shagufta Naqvi diagnose, stage and treat Hodgkin lymphoma in our Katy office, with chemotherapy and immunotherapy given on site. Same-day appointments for newly diagnosed patients.
Overview
Hodgkin lymphoma (once called Hodgkin’s disease) is a cancer that begins in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell in the lymph nodes. It usually spreads in an orderly way from one group of lymph nodes to the next, which is one reason it responds so well to treatment.
There are two main types:
Hodgkin lymphoma is different from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is far more common and includes dozens of subtypes. A biopsy is the only way to tell them apart.
The most common symptom is a painless lump in the neck, above the collarbone, in the armpit or in the groin that lasts more than two to three weeks. Some people also have fevers, drenching night sweats, unexplained weight loss, itching or fatigue.
Fever, night sweats and weight loss are called “B symptoms.” They help doctors stage the disease and plan treatment. Most swollen lymph nodes are caused by infections, not cancer, but a node that keeps growing or lasts more than a few weeks should be checked. Read more about swollen lymph nodes.
Hodgkin lymphoma is most common in early adulthood and after age 55. A past Epstein-Barr virus infection (mononucleosis), a family history of Hodgkin lymphoma, and a weakened immune system, such as from HIV or organ-transplant medicines, raise the risk. Most people who get it have no known risk factor.
There is no proven way to prevent Hodgkin lymphoma, and it is not contagious.
Diagnosis requires a biopsy, ideally removing a whole lymph node so a pathologist can find Reed-Sternberg cells. A PET/CT scan and blood tests then show where the disease is and which stage it is, from stage I (one area) to stage IV (spread to organs such as the liver, lungs or bone marrow).
| Stage | What it means |
|---|---|
| Stage I | One lymph node area or one organ |
| Stage II | Two or more lymph node areas on the same side of the diaphragm |
| Stage III | Lymph node areas above and below the diaphragm |
| Stage IV | Spread to organs such as the liver, lungs or bone marrow |
Each stage also gets an A (no B symptoms) or B (B symptoms present), and doctors note whether there is a bulky tumor.
Most people receive combination chemotherapy, such as ABVD, sometimes with an immunotherapy drug like nivolumab or brentuximab vedotin. Early-stage disease may also be treated with a short course of radiation. A PET scan partway through treatment helps us decide whether to shorten or adjust therapy.
ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) is the most widely used regimen. Other regimens such as escalated BEACOPP are used in selected cases.
Used for: All stages
Nivolumab given with AVD chemotherapy, or the antibody-drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin with AVD, are now preferred options for many people with advanced disease.
Used for: Stage III and IV, and relapsed disease
Low-dose, precisely targeted radiation to the involved lymph nodes, usually after chemotherapy.
Used for: Early-stage or bulky disease
An interim PET scan after a few cycles shows how quickly the lymphoma is responding, so treatment can be shortened or intensified.
Used for: Most patients
High-dose chemotherapy followed by an autologous (your own) stem cell transplant, arranged with a transplant center.
Used for: Hodgkin lymphoma that returns
Anti-nausea medicine, infection prevention, fertility planning and help with fatigue throughout treatment.
Used for: Every patient
Your plan depends on your stage, your symptoms, whether the disease is bulky, your age and your other health conditions. We follow national treatment guidelines and explain every option in plain language.
Hodgkin lymphoma has one of the highest cure rates of any cancer. About 89% of people are alive five years after diagnosis, and survival is high even for stage IV disease. Numbers are averages and cannot predict any one person’s outcome.
Outcomes are best when treatment follows current guidelines from the start. Factors that affect prognosis include stage, B symptoms, bulky disease, age over 45, blood counts and albumin level. Your oncologist will explain how these apply to you.
You will have regular follow-up visits, usually every 3 to 6 months for the first few years, then yearly. Because many survivors are young, we also watch for late effects of treatment, such as heart or lung problems, thyroid changes and second cancers, and make sure you get the screenings you need.
Dr. Riaz’s Palliative Medicine Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic means fatigue, nerve symptoms and emotional stress are treated as seriously as the lymphoma itself.
Call 281-647-7766 or request a call back. Newly diagnosed patients can usually be seen the same day. We accept most major insurance plans and Medicare, including AARP, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, UnitedHealthcare, Tricare and TMHP, and our staff handles prior authorizations before treatment begins.
Bring your referral, biopsy or pathology report, recent scans and lab results, a list of your medicines and your insurance card. If you do not have every record, call anyway. Our team can request them for you. You can also fill out our patient registration form ahead of time.
Board-Certified Medical Oncologist
Dr. Naqvi brings years of experience treating a wide range of cancers with a focus on personalized medicine, patient advocacy and compassionate care.
Board-Certified Medical Oncologist & Palliative Care Specialist
Dr. Riaz completed a Palliative Medicine Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic, so patients receive cutting-edge cancer therapy while keeping the highest possible quality of life.
Our oncology office is located at 410 West Grand Parkway South, Suite #4C, Katy, TX 77494, with easy access from I-10 and the Grand Parkway. Patients come to us for hodgkin lymphoma care from Katy, Cinco Ranch, Fulshear, Richmond, Sugar Land, Memorial, the Energy Corridor, West Houston and communities throughout Greater Houston.
Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM–5:00 PM · Friday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM · Saturday 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Phone: 281-647-7766 · Fax: 281-647-7767 · Map & directions
Yes. Most people with Hodgkin lymphoma are cured with modern chemotherapy, with or without immunotherapy or radiation. Even when it returns, it can often still be cured with further treatment, including stem cell transplant.
No. Most swollen lymph nodes are caused by infections and go away within two to three weeks. See a doctor if a node keeps growing, feels hard or rubbery, lasts more than a few weeks, or comes with fevers, night sweats or weight loss.
Both start in lymphocytes. Hodgkin lymphoma contains Reed-Sternberg cells and usually spreads in an orderly way through lymph nodes. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common, includes many subtypes and can start almost anywhere in the body.
Most people receive 2 to 6 months of chemotherapy, given every two weeks, sometimes followed by a few weeks of radiation. Your oncologist will give you a clear schedule.
With ABVD, many people have hair thinning and some lose most of their hair. It almost always grows back after treatment.
Many people can. Some treatments can affect fertility, so we discuss sperm banking or egg preservation before treatment starts.
Premier Oncology Consultants treats Hodgkin lymphoma at 410 West Grand Parkway South, Suite #4C, Katy, TX 77494, serving Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Sugar Land, Memorial and West Houston.
Sources
This page is for education only and does not replace medical advice from your own physician. Treatment decisions should be made with your care team based on your individual diagnosis.
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