Can Hodgkin lymphoma be cured? A look at the prospects for a high cure rate in China

Hodgkin lymphoma in China: treatment options, technology and a guide to the entire care process

Prepared and published by SinoCareHub Huayitong International Medical. This article provides general medical information and does not replace a doctor's diagnosis.

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is one of the adult cancers with the highest cure rates. It originates in B lymphocytes. The pathological hallmark of classical Hodgkin lymphoma is the presence of Reed–Sternberg (RS) cells among inflammatory cells.

Most common symptoms in patients from overseas

• Painless lymph nodes that gradually enlarge in the neck, above the collarbone or under the arm
• Unexplained fever, night sweats and loss of more than 10% of body weight within six months (B symptoms)
• Chest tightness and a dry cough due to pressure from a mass in the mediastinum
• Generalised itching and pain near the lymph nodes after drinking alcohol, which are more characteristic signs

Subtypes, which guide the choice of treatment

• Classical HL (90%): nodular sclerosis, mixed cellularity, lymphocyte-rich and lymphocyte-depleted subtypes
• Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL)

💡 Treatment varies from patient to patient. Doctors consider the pathological subtype, Lugano stage and clinical risk factors. The International Prognostic Score (IPS) is mainly used for advanced classical HL.

1. Treatment outcomes and cure rates

• Early-stage classical HL (stages I–II). In Germany’s HD10 trial, patients with favourable early-stage disease who received ABVD plus radiotherapy had 87% progression-free survival at 10 years. HD10 long-term follow-up
• Advanced classical HL (stages III–IV). In S1826, newly diagnosed patients had 2-year progression-free survival of 92% with nivolumab plus AVD and 83% with brentuximab vedotin plus AVD. These trial results cannot predict whether an individual patient will be cured. S1826 trial
• Relapsed or refractory classical HL. In AETHERA, adults at high risk of relapse or progression after autologous transplantation had 5-year progression-free survival of 59% with brentuximab vedotin and 41% with placebo. AETHERA long-term follow-up

2. From examining slides to integrating multi-omics and multidisciplinary review

Drawing on the 2026 CACA Chinese expert consensus on multidisciplinary integrated care for Hodgkin lymphoma, the approach in China emphasises the following:

• Multidisciplinary review involving pathology, haematology, radiation oncology, imaging, cardiology and reproductive medicine
• PET-CT is usually used for staging. Pathologists assess tissue morphology alongside immunohistochemistry markers such as CD30, CD15, CD20 and PAX5, and use in situ hybridisation to detect EBER when needed. Routine bone marrow aspiration or biopsy is usually unnecessary after PET-CT staging. Lugano staging recommendations · International Consensus Classification
• Molecular analysis and minimal residual disease monitoring are still being studied. Follow-up addresses late effects such as cardiac and thyroid function and second primary cancers.

3. How hospitals schedule tests and consultations

Before visiting centres such as Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking University People's Hospital, Ruijin Hospital or West China Hospital, ask whether they can accept you and coordinate these assessments.

• Doctors decide which tests you need, such as contrast-enhanced CT, PET-CT, pathology review, blood tests, echocardiography and lung function tests.
• Once the tests and pathology records are ready, ask whether the hospital can arrange a multidisciplinary consultation and provide a written plan in Chinese and English.
• Timing for tests, reports and consultations depends on the hospital schedule and whether further tests are needed. Confirm timing with the hospital before booking travel.

4. Treatment options from conventional chemotherapy to newer biological therapies

First-line treatment

• ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine)
• For advanced classical HL, options for assessment include nivolumab plus AVD, brentuximab vedotin plus AVD, and BrECADD, depending on the patient’s circumstances and drug availability. EHA clinical guideline
• If a mass remains after chemotherapy, doctors consider the PET-CT response, stage at diagnosis and planned regimen when deciding whether radiotherapy is needed. Lugano response assessment

Treatment in China for relapsed or refractory classical HL (R/R cHL)

• Brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris®, a CD30-directed ADC) may be used for some patients with relapsed or refractory disease and as consolidation after autologous transplantation for patients at high risk of relapse. AETHERA trial
• PD-1 inhibitors, including pembrolizumab, nivolumab and Chinese-developed camrelizumab
• Patients who are eligible for transplantation and respond to salvage therapy may receive high-dose chemotherapy and autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT).
• CD30 CAR-T remains under clinical investigation. The study centre assesses eligibility for enrolment. CD30 CAR-T trial
• Studies of bispecific antibodies and new antibody–drug conjugates are ongoing. The treating team should assess specific options. AFM13 trial

5. How to ask the hospital for an estimate

• Full staging workup. Ask the hospital to itemise imaging, pathology review and any other tests you need.
• First-line ABVD. The number of cycles varies with stage, risk factors and response. Ask which cycles and supportive care the estimate covers.
• Regimens combining brentuximab vedotin or a PD-1 inhibitor. Costs vary by drug, dose and number of cycles. Refer to the hospital’s written quote.
• Autologous transplantation. Ask the hospital about admission, medicines and transplant charges. Commercial or specialty drug insurance coverage and reimbursement depend on the policy and confirmation from the insurer.

The Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone has a special access policy for urgently needed imported medicines and medical devices.

• Designated medical institutions can apply for eligible medicines or devices already marketed abroad.
• Ask the hospital to confirm the product and the department that would handle your case before applying.
• Designated medical institutions must apply under the applicable rules and receive approval before using urgently needed imported drugs or devices. Confirm the specific product, indication and availability with the hospital. Hainan Health Commission rules on special access
• If you plan to contact Ruijin Hainan Hospital, West China Lecheng Hospital or another institution in the zone, first ask whether it can accept international patients, review records remotely and provide the care you need.

If current options are limited or you want to ask about a medicine already marketed overseas, a hospital in the zone can assess suitability and whether an application can be submitted.

Step 1. Before you leave, hold off on booking flights

Send us the records you already have:

• Pathology report, including the original laboratory's detailed immunohistochemistry results
• H&E slides, paraffin blocks or unstained slides (confirm the type and quantity with the receiving hospital)
• Original PET-CT images in DICOM format
• Previous chemotherapy records, bone marrow reports and FISH or NGS results, if available

👉 SinoCareHub helps with preliminary record review, translation and coordination. The treating team decides whether more pathology tests or another request for slides is needed.

Step 2. Remote consultation

We can help contact HL specialists at Ruijin Hospital, Peking Union Medical College Hospital or West China Hospital. The receiving hospital confirms whether a remote consultation and written assessment can be arranged.

Step 3. Hospital matching and appointment booking

We coordinate the relevant department and specialist based on the pathological subtype, stage, whether the disease has relapsed and whether transplant assessment is needed.

Step 4. Medical invitation letter

We help request a medical invitation letter and a cost estimate according to the hospital’s requirements and assist with visa documents. The hospital issues its documents according to its own procedures.

Step 5. Arrival at the hospital

• Airport pickup, medical interpreting and accompaniment during visits
• Pathology review and additional tests, with dates set by the hospital
• Multidisciplinary consultation if arranged by the hospital. Confirm whether a plan is available in Chinese and English
• Help attending appointments, explanations about medications and psychological support during treatment

Step 6. Discharge and follow-up across borders

• Ask whether the hospital can provide an English discharge summary, the PET-Deauville score record and a follow-up schedule
• We can help request a remote follow-up after you return home. Arrangements depend on confirmation from the receiving hospital and your local follow-up team.

• Affordability is only one consideration. Patients also seek speed, precise stratification and access to newer options.
• Diagnosis review, staging and treatment start are arranged in sequence. The hospital confirms the dates based on test results and availability
• A multidisciplinary team coordinates chemotherapy, targeted therapy, transplantation, rehabilitation and follow-up. Research centres assess eligibility for cell therapy studies.
• A clinically urgent medicine already marketed abroad may qualify for Lecheng’s special access route, subject to hospital assessment and regulatory approval.

Your first step is to send us your reports.

We take care of the rest:

• Translation of medical records and a preliminary check for completeness
• Matching you with a suitable hospital or specialist, without blanket referrals or promises of a cure
• Coordination of remote consultations
• Help requesting a medical invitation letter
• Medical interpreting, accompaniment at appointments, accommodation and transport
• Information about access to new medicines in Lecheng
• Help arranging cross-border follow-up after treatment

⚠️ Notice: SinoCareHub provides information and care coordination for international patients. It does not provide diagnostic or treatment advice. The hospital and doctors make the final decisions on whether to accept a patient, the treatment plan, appointment availability and admission.

Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the few cancers for which there is a high chance of cure.

Patients who come to China are looking for more than a treatment they can make do with:

Start by reviewing the pathology and stage, learning which treatments may be suitable and asking the hospital about timing, costs and follow-up.

If you or a family member has just received an HL report and is unsure where to go next,

Take a moment, then send us the records you have.

👉 Official website: https://sinocarehub.com

👥 Huayitong International Medical Services (Hainan) Co., Ltd.

Which practical resource would you like first: a checklist of records for treatment in China, a template for preparing for a remote consultation, or a Lecheng new-medicine enquiry form?