Hodgkin's Chemotherapy: Stanford V

Stanford V is a chemotherapy regimen designed to treat Hodgkin’s Disease. The drugs are administered frequently over a shorter amount of time than typical regimens, like ABVD and MOPP. It is believed that this regimen will prove to be just as effective as other protocols. Also, it is expected to have fewer long-term side effects.

Drug Names, Administration, and Info

Each treatment cycle of Stanford V is 28 days long. Typically a patient will receive three cycles. Inclusion of radiation therapy is necessary for advanced stages of the disease. The drugs and their dosage schedules are:

Mustargen (Mechlorethamine)

Administered only on day 1. The major symptoms from this drug include nausea, low blood counts, hair loss, and infertility.

Adriamycin (Doxorubicin)

Administered on days 1 and 15 of the treatment cycle. Because it is known to affect heart function, echocardiograms or other tests should be done do monitor cardiac health.

Vinblastine (Velban)

Administered on days 1 and 15 of the treatment cycle. Its common symptoms include fatigue and irritation at the injection site. Occasionally a patient will also suffer from high blood pressure.

Oncovin (Vincristine)

Administered on days 8 and 22 of the treatment cycle. Its common symptoms include hair loss and low blood counts. Patients may also experience bone pain.

Bleomycin (Blenoxane)

Administered on days 8 and 22 of the cycle. Because of its effect on the lungs, regular chest x-rays and pulmonary function tests are necessary to ensure good health.

Etoposide (Eposin)

Administered on days 15 and 16. Its common symptoms include nausea, hair loss, taste changes, and low blood counts.

Prednisone

Taken orally every day. It is a steroid that will help reduce inflammation during treatment. Common side effects include increased appetite and swelling from water retention.

Patients who are looking for more advanced treatment or who have lymphoma that does not respond to standard treatment may want to consider a clinical study. Click here to find clinical trials in your area.

Other Symptoms and Common Medications

Chemotherapy can cause frequent urination because of the high amount of fluid entering the body intravenously during treatment. Extra fluids should be consumed during treatment to help prevent kidney damage.

Treatment can also cause constipation; if this occurs, your doctor should prescribe a laxative.

Anti-nausea medicines, such as Zofran or Kytril are usually given during chemotherapy treatments to help with side effects. Pain relievers may also be prescribed.

All chemotherapy agents can cause birth defects in babies conceived or carried during treatment. There is also a risk of infertility. You may want to discuss your options, such as sperm banking or egg harvesting, with your medical team prior to starting treatment.

For more information on Hodgkin's Disease, please see the following pages:

• Hodgkin's Disease: Chemotherapy
• Hodgkin's Disease: Treatment
• Hodgkin's Disease: Resources
• Hodgkin's Disease: Diagnosis
• Hodgkin's Disease (Main Page)
• Bone Marrow / Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplants