3. The Advanced Stages of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
When Hodgkin’s lymphoma advances to stage 3, it signifies a critical point in the disease’s progression. In this stage, the disease has spread to lymph node regions on both sides of the diaphragm. Alternatively, it could also involve a single organ and its regional lymph nodes, with the involvement of distant lymph nodes or other organs.
In stage 3, the intensity and variety of symptoms start to escalate. Patients may experience an increasing level of discomfort due to the swelling of lymph nodes and the disease’s spread to various parts of the body. The ‘B symptoms,’ including significant weight loss, severe night sweats, and recurrent fevers, persist during this stage, often to a more severe extent.
In many cases, there may be significant discomfort due to the pressure the swollen lymph nodes put on surrounding organs and tissues. The growing disease may start to affect the functioning of other organs, leading to additional symptoms based on which organs are affected.
Stage 3 of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma often necessitates a more aggressive treatment approach. With the disease reaching a more advanced stage, the treatment aims to eliminate the disease and prevent its recurrence.
This typically involves an extensive course of chemotherapy, potentially coupled with radiotherapy. In certain cases, targeted therapies using monoclonal antibodies might be recommended, depending on the patient’s condition and disease’s advancement. (3)
