Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic, or immune system. The two most common types are Hodgkin lymphoma (or Hodgkin's lymphoma) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Chemotherapy is a standard treatment for lymphoma, and the specific drugs used can depend on your general health, the spread of disease and any allergies you have. Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment, which means it travels through the bloodstream and can kill microscopic cancer cells throughout the body rather than in just one specific area.
CHOP
The American Cancer Society describes the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma chemotherapy protocol CHOP for lymphoma as consisting of the drugs cyclophosphamide (brand name Cytoxan), doxorubicin (Adriamycin), vincristine (Oncovin) and prednisone. Treatment with CHOP is typically six cycles with a cycle given every 4 weeks. Because some of the drugs can cause kidney problems, it is important to drink plenty of fluids. Other side effects include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, low white and red blood cell counts, which can lead to increased risk of infection and anemia, respectively, and loss of hair. Another side effect of CHOP is the possibility of fertility problems; if preserving your fertility is important, your doctor may have information about options regarding banking sperm or freezing eggs. The CHOP protocol may also be combined with the cancer drug Rituxan, which works on the immune system; this regimen may be called CHOP-R, according to lymhomainfo.net.
ABVD
According to the Mayo Clinic, ABVD is a chemotherapy regimen commonly used to treat Hodgkin's lymphoma and consists of the medications doxorubicin, bleomycin, vincristine, and dacarbazine. This regimen is given in 4-week cycles on days 1 and 15. Side effects of this medication combination include nausea, low white blood cell counts, lung and heart problems when given at high doses, fatigue, hair loss, diarrhea and rash. There is also a possible risk of infertility as a result of treatment with these drugs. As with CHOP, there is a risk of possible kidney damage; consuming extra fluids to flush your body can help reduce this risk.
MOPP
Another chemotherapy protocol for Hodgkin's lymphoma is MOPP consisting of the drugs mechlorethamine (also called nitrogen mustard), vincristine, matulane (brand name Procarbazine) and prednisone. Although ABVD is most often used to treat Hodgkin's lymphoma, MOPP is prescribed if you have any existing heart or lung problems or if you are allergic to anything in the ABVD regimen. If lymphoma relapses after treatment with ABVD, MOPP is also used. The website lymphomainfo.net lists the side effects of this regimen as including nausea, vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite, stomach pain and taste changes. It may also cause peripheral neuropathy which is damage to the nerves in your hands and feet, causing burning, tingling, numbness and temperature sensitivity. This typically subsides after treatment, but can be long-lasting in some people.
