What we are studying
This research is being done in order to improve treatment outcomes in patients diagnosed with bulky, early stage Hodgkin lymphoma and to reduce the side effects that are associated with radiation, which is used in current treatments. As part of the evaluation of the effectiveness of the chemotherapy treatment, PET scans will be obtained during the course of your therapy. We will evaluate the usefulness of this PET scan to determine whether radiation may be left out in the treatment of your disease if the PET scan shows you have responded to chemotherapy alone. In addition, a small percentage of patients may have disease that is not adequately treated with ABVD and radiotherapy. We hope to identify this group of patients using early PET scans and will change to a different chemotherapy treatment.