[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/03\/hodgkins-lymphoma-curable\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/03\/hodgkins-lymphoma-curable\/","headline":"Is Hodgkin Lymphoma Curable? Understanding Lymphoma","name":"Is Hodgkin Lymphoma Curable? Understanding Lymphoma","description":"Lymphoma has multiple types, with different treatment options and survival rates. Learn more about Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.","datePublished":"2016-03-10","dateModified":"2023-09-15","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/hillman.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC Hillman Cancer Center","url":"https:\/\/hillman.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-hillman-cancer-center\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/hodgkins-lymphoma-curable.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/hodgkins-lymphoma-curable.jpg","height":867,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/03\/hodgkins-lymphoma-curable\/","about":["Cancer Care"],"wordCount":900,"keywords":["blood cancer","cancer","hodgkin's disease","hodgkin's lymphoma","Lymphoma","non-hodgkin's lymphoma","stem cell transplant"],"articleBody":"One of the first things on the minds of patients diagnosed with cancer usually is what their prognosis might be. Thanks to expanding research and targeted cancer treatments, the prognoses for lymphoma patients are improving. So, what is lymphoma and how is it treated? Here\u2019s what you need to know.\u00a0What Is Lymphoma? Understanding Lymphoma\u00a0Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the cells in the immune system called lymphocytes.\u00a0There are two types of lymphoma:\u00a0Hodgkin lymphoma, also called Hodgkin disease.\u00a0Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).\u00a0Lymphomas are the most common form of cancer in teens ages 15 to 19. Every patient\u2019s prognosis is different, but Hodgkin disease, for the most part, can be treated and managed.\u00a0What are the Survival Rates for Hodgkin Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma?\u00a0Patients may wonder, “Can lymphoma can be fully cured?” Lymphoma is considered one of the most treatable forms of cancer if found early.\u00a0For NHL, the overall five- and 10-year relative survival rates are 69% and 59%, respectively.\u00a0For Hodgkin lymphoma, the survival rates are equally improved. The five-year survival rate is 85% and the 10-year survival rate is 80%. There are many factors that influence prognosis and survival rate, which can include:\u00a0Age —Being under 60 can improve your prognosis as you are more likely to fight off disease.\u00a0Stage of disease —\u00a0Stage I or II can offer the best prognoses, though later stages may be highly treatable as well.\u00a0No lymphoma outside of lymph nodes, or lymphoma in only one area outside of lymph nodes.\u00a0Performance status — Ability to function normally; ranked on a scale of zero to 100 (100 meaning you are at normal health).\u00a0High serum LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) levels — The LDH enzyme is usually released when cells are damaged or destroyed.Lymphoma Staging\u00a0Lymphoma staging is identifying where the disease is located and the potential areas of your body it may have spread. Diagnostic testing is used to detect the cancer\u2019s stage, which helps the doctor determine an appropriate course of treatment.\u00a0Stage I lymphoma\u00a0Stage I \u2014 The cancer has been detected in one lymph node region.\u00a0Stage IE \u2014 The cancer has invaded one organ outside of the lymphatic system, but not any lymph node regions.\u00a0Stage II lymphoma\u00a0Stage II \u2014 The cancer is in two or more areas on the same side of the diaphragm.\u00a0Stage IIE \u2014 The cancer is affecting one organ and surrounding lymph nodes on the same side of the diaphragm.\u00a0Stages III and IV lymphoma\u00a0Stage III \u2014 Lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm are cancerous.\u00a0Stage IV \u2014 The cancer has spread throughout the body. Common areas include liver, lungs, and bone marrow.\u00a0Progressive lymphoma\u00a0Occurs when the cancer grows or spreads while being treated for the original lymphoma.\u00a0Recurrent lymphoma\u00a0When lymphoma returns after previously being treated, either in its original location or in a new area of the body.\u00a0Recurrence can occur shortly after treatment or years later.Re-staging may be necessary in the event of a recurrence.\u00a0Lymphoma Risk Factors\u00a0Most of the risk factors that contribute to lymphoma are unknown. However, some studies have found that certain factors are associated with an increased risk of the disease, including:\u00a0High serum LDH (lactate dehydrogenase).\u00a0Age \u2013 Studies have shown that Hodgkin lymphoma primarily occurs in people ages 15 to 35 and people over 55. Adults over 60 usually are more at risk for Hodgkin lymphoma because of lower immune function.\u00a0Viruses \u2013 Carrying viruses such as Epstein-Barr or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been found to increase the risk of developing lymphoma.\u00a0It is also possible that other factors — such as workplace exposure to certain substances (herbicides, insecticides, or wood dust) — and obesity may increase the risk of lymphoma. However, these associations are still being studied by researchers and may or may not be risk factors.\u00a0International Prognostic Index for Lymphoma\u00a0The International Prognostic Index for Lymphoma was developed by oncologists as a tool for predicting the prognosis of patients with more aggressive cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.\u00a0Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma symptoms\u00a0Symptoms of non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphomas are similar. Symptoms are not immediately obvious and may be mistaken for a severe cold or flu. Common symptoms include:\u00a0Fever.\u00a0Coughing, trouble breathing, or chest pain.\u00a0Soaking night sweats.\u00a0Unexplained weight loss.\u00a0Swollen, painless lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin.\u00a0Weakness and tiredness that doesn\u2019t go away.\u00a0Lymphoma Treatment Options\u00a0Treatment options for lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma are usually similar to other types of cancer treatment. Although the types may be similar, your specific treatment plan may vary greatly depending on what your doctor recommends. Treatments can include one or more of the following:\u00a0Radiation therapy\u00a0Chemotherapy\u00a0Targeted therapy\u00a0Stem cell transplant\u00a0Immunotherapy\u00a0\u00a0How Long Can a Person Live with Lymphoma?\u00a0Thanks to the collection of treatment options available today, more than half of all people diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma will be living more than five years after their cancer treatment. It\u2019s important to keep in mind that survival rates vary depending on the stage of diagnosis and the overall health of the person. But thanks to modern medical advances, there is a good chance of survival with non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma. \u00a0\u00a0To learn more about the treatment options of lymphoma or to schedule an appointment, visit the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center website or call 412-647-2811.\u00a0   Editor's Note: This article was originally published on March 10, 2016, and was last reviewed on June 8, 2023."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2016","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"03","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/\/03\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Is Hodgkin Lymphoma Curable? 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