What to expect from chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma

The medicines travel through the bloodstream to treat lymphoma cells in affected areas. Your plan depends on the lymphoma’s stage, your health and whether chemotherapy is combined with radiotherapy or another treatment. Before each cycle, the team may review your examination, blood counts, kidney or liver tests and any effects from the previous treatment. An infusion visit can include anti-sickness medicine and observation afterward.

Fatigue, nausea, reduced appetite, mouth changes, constipation or diarrhoea and hair loss may occur. Blood counts can fall, raising infection risk or causing anaemia. Some effects appear soon after treatment and others develop later, so keep communicating with the team.

Bring your medicine list and questions to every visit. Arrange transport if you feel drowsy or weak after medicines, keep fluids and easy-to-eat foods available, and use the mouth-care routine prescribed by your team. Wash hands regularly and avoid close contact with people who are unwell when your clinicians advise extra precautions. Never start a supplement without checking it first.

Call your treatment team quickly if you develop a fever, shaking chills, worsening cough, new breathlessness, persistent vomiting, severe diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, bleeding or a painful mouth that prevents drinking. Seek emergency help for severe breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion or uncontrolled bleeding.

What is the name and schedule of my regimen? Which side effects need a same-day call? Will I need blood tests before each visit? How might treatment affect fertility, vaccinations, exercise or study? Who should I contact outside clinic hours?