Hodgkin's Lymphoma Prognosis (Cont.)

Hodgkin's Lymphoma Prognosis and Survival Rates

Survival rates indicate the percentage of people with a certain type and stage of cancer who survive the disease for a specific period of time after their diagnosis. Often, statistics refer to the five-year survival rate, which refers to the percentage of people who are alive five years after diagnosis, whether they have few or no signs or symptoms of cancer, are free of the disease, or are receiving treatment. Survival rates are based on large groups of people. They cannot be used to predict what will happen to a particular patient. No two patients are exactly alike, and treatment and responses to treatment vary greatly.
 

Hodgkin's Lymphoma Prognosis: Five-Year Survival Rates

Survival rates can be calculated by different methods for different purposes. The Hodgkin's lymphoma survival rates presented here are based on the relative survival rate. The relative survival rate measures the survival of cancer patients in comparison to the general population to estimate the effect of cancer. The overall five-year relative Hodgkin's lymphoma survival rate for 1996-2002 was 84.9 percent. The five-year relative Hodgkin's disease survival rates by race and sex were:
 
  • 84.0 percent for white men
  • 86.7 percent for white women
  • 78.5 percent for black men
  • 87.1 percent for black women.
     

Hodgkin's Lymphoma Prognosis: A Summary

Hodgkin's lymphoma patients and their loved ones face many unknowns. Some people find it easier to cope when they know the statistics. Other people find statistical information confusing and frightening, and they think it is too impersonal to be of use to them.
 
The doctor who is most familiar with a patient's situation is in the best position to discuss the Hodgkin's lymphoma prognosis and to explain what the statistics may mean for that person. At the same time, it is important to understand that even the doctor cannot know exactly what to expect. In fact, a person's Hodgkin's lymphoma prognosis may change if the cancer progresses, or if treatment is successful.
 
Seeking information about the Hodgkin's lymphoma prognosis is a personal decision. It is up to each patient to decide how much information he or she wants and how to deal with it.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD