Hodgkin Lymphoma Care Team

Advanced practiced providers have training that is similar to physicians and can see you without your physician. At Fred Hutch, these health care professionals work closely with your hematologist-oncologist in the clinic. There are two types: physician assistants (PAs) and advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs). They help provide and plan your treatment and also help manage the effects of your disease and treatment.

This physician manages your medicine-based treatments. Most people with Hodgkin lymphoma begin treatment by getting chemotherapy. Some people get targeted therapy or immunotherapy. If watchful waiting is right for you, you will see this physician on a regular schedule to check your health and, if you need it, to start treatment.

Your hematologist-oncologist will:

• See you during your first visit. They will give you an exam and order any tests you need to diagnose or stage your disease.
• Explain what your diagnosis and stage mean and answer your questions.
• Recommend medicine-based treatments to match your exact needs. They will choose the medicines, doses, schedule and sequence. They will also talk with you about the benefits and risks.
• See you on a regular schedule to check how your cancer responds to treatment and how you are doing overall.
• Offer you ways to prevent, relieve and cope with side effects of treatment, like medicine to help with nausea.
• Work with the rest of your care team if you need other types of treatment.

Your patient care coordinator works closely with you and your physician. They will schedule your appointments.

This physician treats cancer with radiation. They prescribe and oversee this part of your care. Working with a radiation oncology team, they plan and deliver your treatments.

Your radiation oncologist:

• Sees you if your evaluation shows that radiation therapy is likely to help. If you didn’t need radiation at the start of care but this changes, we arrange for you to see a radiation oncologist then.
• Recommends radiation therapy to match your specific case. They decide the type, dose and schedule. They also talk with you about the benefits and risks.
• Works behind the scenes with other radiation experts. These experts make sure you receive the right dose in the right places (dosimetrist). They also maintain the equipment used (medical physicist).
• Answers your questions about radiation therapy, like why you need it and what to expect.
• Sees you on a regular schedule during radiation therapy to check how your cancer responds and how you are doing overall.
• Offers you ways to prevent, relieve and cope with side effects of treatment. 
• Coordinates with the rest of your care team if you need other types of treatment.

This person sees you when you come in for radiation treatment. They explain your treatment, check your health, answer your questions and help you with side effects.

This person positions you each time you come in for radiation treatment. This ensures your treatment is precise. They also operate the machines that deliver the radiation. 

Your nurse manages your care with your physician. They also help with procedures and treatments. Nurses are resources for you and your caregiver. They can answer questions on a wide range of topics, like how to cope with side effects or get other services you need at Fred Hutch.

Many types of supportive care team members are here to help you and your family. They include registered dietitians, physical therapists, pain medicine specialists, psychologists, social workers, spiritual health staff, palliative care specialists, naturopaths and acupuncturists.

Learn more about Supportive Care Services

If you need a blood or marrow transplant, you will have a specialized team from the Fred Hutch Blood and Marrow Transplant Program. Your team includes a transplant oncologist, advanced practice provider, transplant nurse, pharmacist, dietitian, team coordinator and social worker. This team will: 

• Give you an exam (and your donor, if you need one). 
• Decide on a transplant approach to match your case.  
• Prepare you and your caregiver. 
• Do your transplant. 
• Provide care as you recover.

Learn more about your Blood and Marrow Transplant Team