What is ABVD Chemotherapy for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a type of cancer affecting the White Blood Cells (WBC), which are an integral part of the body’s immune system. “ABVD” stands for the chemotherapy drug regimen which is frequently used for the treatment of Hodgkin’s disease. This regimen is used for the management of patients in the early stages of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It is comparatively less toxic and doesn’t result in major bone marrow suppression, like the other stronger and high- dosage chemotherapy regimens.
  
What does ABVD chemotherapy regimen include?
ABVD chemotherapy comprises of four, (to a maximum of eight cycles) of drugs given intravenously, with each cycle lasting for four weeks. The number of cycles depends upon the stage of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The treatment is done on an out patient basis and doesn’t require hospitalization; unless the patient’s medical condition is critical. The regimen comprises of four drugs Adriamycin (A), Blenoxane (B), Velban (V) and Dacarbazine (D), which have effects on the different stages of cellular growth and retard or halt the rapid multiplication of cancer cells.
 
Chemotherapy treatment outcome of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Chemotherapy can completely cure Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, with medical studies indicating that more than 90% of the patients remain free from remission for a period of two to five years after the treatment. However on some occasions a relapse is observed which is treated with a higher dose of chemotherapy drugs or peripheral bone marrow transplant.

ABVD Chemotherapy side effects
• Short term side effects include - alopecia ( hair loss), gastrointestinal disturbances( nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc) , bone marrow suppression, and neuropathy which resolve after a few weeks of completion of the treatment
• Long term side effects include infertility (i.e. inability to have children) and an increased risk of developing secondary cancers at other locations.

Chemotherapy treatment abroad
Chemotherapy treatment in the United States is an expensive affair. However, leading healthcare institutions in several countries abroad, provide similar or better quality of medical care at significantly lower costs. These destinations include India, Mexico, Turkey, South Korea and Jordan.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cancer-articles/low-cost-hodgkins-lymphoma-chemotherapy-1651820.html

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