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

As with classic HD, chemotherapy plus radiation therapy is the standard treatment option for most stages. But in people with early stage NLPHD and without any B symptoms, radiation therapy alone is often appropriate. Another option for people who can't tolerate radiation therapy is to have the disease watched closely and get treatment only when symptoms appear.

If the disease is more advanced or if B symptoms are present, chemotherapy plus radiation is more likely to be recommended. Another option for some patients may be treatment with the monoclonal antibody drug rituximab (Rituxan), with or without chemotherapy, although this is still being studied. (For more information, see "What's new in Hodgkin disease research and treatment?")

Last Medical Review: 07/21/2009
Last Revised: 07/21/2009