Recurring Hodgkins Options

I am 43 years old, was diagnosed back in January 2006 with stage 3A  Hodgkins Disease and was treated for 6 months with ABVD. I was in full remission from June 06 to Feb 07. Last month they saw an uptick in a PET/CT scan that has lead them to believe a reoccurence may be in the works. They took a CT Scan with contrast to get a better look at the area in my chest and do see some growth that they would like to biopsy to confirm. I will know exactly what it is in a couple of weeks and yes it could be nothing, but odds are it is something. My oncologist has not made any recommendations for treatment as of yet but what I am hoping that other options have been heard about and tried here so I would like to learn more.

Hello Sailor963 If you would be interested in hearing about some successful alternative therapies please send me a private message. Blessings Shemay

On 3/16/2007 Sailor963 wrote:

I am 43 years old, was diagnosed back in January 2006 with stage 3A  Hodgkins Disease and was treated for 6 months with ABVD. I was in full remission from June 06 to Feb 07. Last month they saw an uptick in a PET/CT scan that has lead them to believe a reoccurence may be in the works. They took a CT Scan with contrast to get a better look at the area in my chest and do see some growth that they would like to biopsy to confirm. I will know exactly what it is in a couple of weeks and yes it could be nothing, but odds are it is something. My oncologist has not made any recommendations for treatment as of yet but what I am hoping that other options have been heard about and tried here so I would like to learn more.

 

On 3/16/2007 Sailor963 wrote:

I am 43 years old, was diagnosed back in January 2006 with stage 3A  Hodgkins Disease and was treated for 6 months with ABVD. I was in full remission from June 06 to Feb 07. Last month they saw an uptick in a PET/CT scan that has lead them to believe a reoccurence may be in the works. They took a CT Scan with contrast to get a better look at the area in my chest and do see some growth that they would like to biopsy to confirm. I will know exactly what it is in a couple of weeks and yes it could be nothing, but odds are it is something. My oncologist has not made any recommendations for treatment as of yet but what I am hoping that other options have been heard about and tried here so I would like to learn more.

Since your relapse is early, you probably cant repeat the ABVD.  A different chemo combination or a stem cell transplant would be options.

 

If the recurrence is localized then local irradiation will help and possibly more chemo using MOPP or other non cross reacting chemo.  If it is tumor, did it recur in a place where it was large before initial treatment?  Some studies suggest low dose irradiation to sites of previous bulk disease may reduce recurrence.  Stem Cell transplant can be planned, but I think it may be to early to "go there" yet.

Hi my name is Kim.  I first found out I had HD stage 2A in 5/2004.  Went thru standard treatment, abvd, radiation.  Remission until 7/2005.  Went thru dhap, beam and stem cell transplant, remission until 9/206.  I am currently undergoing trail treatment with MDX 060 (3 phase program and I am using only the chemo drug gemcitibine currently, next phase will include antibody).  They told me this disease was easily cured.  I am here to prove them wrong.  I pray everyday that the trail will be the final cure or at least provide sometime to find something else.  I am currently looking into homeopathic options.  But one thing is for sure, we can NEVER give up hope.  My prayers are with you.  Only God knows the outcome.

Hi Kim.  Sounds like we're in the same boat.  I've been dealing with this since 2002, after failing an auto stem cell.  I recently got rid of a spot with radiation but now am going in for a biopsy next week again.  How is your clincial trial working?

Kelly

I am going through a similiar situation at this time and I am wondering what your outcome was following the biopsy.  I am scheduled to see a surgeon this afternoon to get a biopsy to see if I have recurring Hodgkins disease.

I am 48, diagnosed 15 years ago with Stage 2 A treated with radiation..

In April I palpated a submandibular node and rushed to the oncologist. He kind of blew me off but I oersisted.. I had a pet scan that was (questionable ) and recommended repeat 9 to 12 monthe later. Couldnt wait so I went to a Head - Neck surgeon. She ordered a CT and found 3 borderline enlarged nodes and agreed to remove them on the 31st. She said there is no sclerosing so that is encouraging.

I go from being paralyzed with fear to trying to convince myself that I will beat it "again"

Anyone know what the next treatment will be if these nodes are positive., If they are not , then what can they be.

I have never had symptoms of any kind.

Thanks for hearing me out.

Feel gree to email ne at goleary8487@yahoo.com

Ginny

Update... MDX 060 was successful in keeping at bay as long as I could take full dose.  Upon completion 5 weeks out went into major progression. Now looking into addtl trials... not much time to decide.  Can only pray that I make the right decision.  Will keep up to date...

 

On 5/2/2007 Twin1 wrote:

Hi my name is Kim.  I first found out I had HD stage 2A in 5/2004.  Went thru standard treatment, abvd, radiation.  Remission until 7/2005.  Went thru dhap, beam and stem cell transplant, remission until 9/206.  I am currently undergoing trail treatment with MDX 060 (3 phase program and I am using only the chemo drug gemcitibine currently, next phase will include antibody).  They told me this disease was easily cured.  I am here to prove them wrong.  I pray everyday that the trail will be the final cure or at least provide sometime to find something else.  I am currently looking into homeopathic options.  But one thing is for sure, we can NEVER give up hope.  My prayers are with you.  Only God knows the outcome.

My husband is going through almost the same thing.  Diagnosed Oct 05, 6 rounds ABVD; relapsed less than 6 months later 2 rounds DHAP salvage chemo, auto stem cell trans, relapsed less than 6 months later.  Now we are at MD Anderson in a clinical trial for MDX 060 and gemcitabine.  He will have his first set of PET/CAT Scans on the 17th of Dec so we will see how it is going.  Seems good but his counts have dropped so low that they had to give him low doses of the gemzar.  They have said that he is noncurable due to the non responsiveness to the prior treatments.  What kind of results have you had.