Hodgkin Lymphoma: NCCN 2025 Guidance
Hodgkin lymphoma is a treatable lymphoid cancer staged by PET/CT; most patients are cured with chemotherapy, with or without radiation.
Overview
Hodgkin lymphoma is a lymphoid cancer that often causes swollen lymph nodes and systemic B symptoms. It is divided into classic Hodgkin lymphoma and nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma.
Diagnosis And Staging
Diagnosis relies on an excisional or core biopsy with immunohistochemistry. A full history, blood work, and FDG-PET/CT imaging establish the stage and risk group.
Disease is staged I through IV. Unfavorable features include B symptoms, bulky mediastinal disease, or nodes larger than 10 cm.
First-Line Treatment
Most patients receive combination chemotherapy, sometimes with antibody-based therapy, with or without involved-site radiation. Treatment is tailored to stage and risk.
Older adults or those unfit for intensive therapy receive adapted regimens. Clinical trial participation is encouraged when available.
Follow-Up And Late Effects
After treatment, regular visits monitor for relapse and long-term effects. Survivors may need cardiac, breast, thyroid, and lung surveillance depending on prior therapy.
Relapsed Or Refractory Disease
Patients who relapse may be candidates for high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell rescue. Those not eligible receive alternative systemic therapies under specialist care.
