Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs enter
the bloodstream and travel through the body in order to kill
cancer cells. The side effects from the chemotherapy come from
the fact that it destroys normal cells as well. Chemotherapy may
be given either alone or along with radiation therapy. When
given alone, it is given in a higher dose designed to kill off
cancer cells. When given along with radiation therapy, it is
delivered at a lower dose and is designed to make the cancer
more sensitive to the radiation. The amount and type of
chemotherapy you receive will be determined by the stage and
type of Hodgkins disease, as well as factors such as your age
and health. - Main drug regimen: ABVD (doxorubicin [adriamycin],
bleomycin [Blenoxane], vinblastine , and dacarbazine [DTIC]) -
Other drug regimens: MOPP ( methotrexate [Rheumatrex],
vincristine [Vincasar PFS], prednisone , procarbazine
[Matulane]) alone or alternating with ABVD or ABV, COPP, and
ChlVPP (chlorambucil [Leukeran], vincristine, predn