Treating nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin disease (NLPHD)

Because this rare type of Hodgkin disease (HD) tends to grow more slowly than classic HD, it is sometimes treated slightly differently.

In people with early stage NLPHD without any B symptoms, radiation therapy alone is often all that is needed.

If the disease is more advanced or if a person has B symptoms, chemotherapy, with or without radiation therapy, is likely to be recommended. Many doctors use the ABVD chemo regimen, although some doctors prefer others. Another option is to give the monoclonal antibody rituximab (Rituxan), with or without chemotherapy (and sometimes radiation).

An option for some people who are not having major symptoms might be to have the disease watched closely at first, and then start treatment only when symptoms appear.