Your general practitioner (GP) will arrange the first tests to assess your symptoms. If these tests do not rule out cancer, you will usually be referred to a specialist, such as a haematologist. The specialist will arrange further tests to work out if you have Hodgkin lymphoma.
If Hodgkin lymphoma is diagnosed, the specialist will consider treatment options. Usually these will be discussed with other health professionals at what is known as a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting. During and after treatment, you will see a range of health professionals who specialise in different aspects of your care.
To find cancer specialists, multidisciplinary teams and hospitals in NSW or ACT, you can visit the NSW Government website CanRefer.
Health professionals you may see
| haematologist | diagnoses and treats diseases of the bone marrow, blood and lymphatic system; prescribes chemotherapy and other drug therapies; conducts stem cell transplants |
| medical oncologist | treats cancer with drug therapies such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy; in some cases, may be the main treating specialist instead of a haematologist |
| radiation oncologist | treats cancer by prescribing and overseeing a course of radiation therapy |
| cancer care coordinator | coordinates care, liaises with other members of the MDT and supports you and your family throughout treatment; care may also be coordinated by a clinical nurse consultant (CNC) or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) |
| haematology nurse | administers chemotherapy and other drugs, and provides care, information and support throughout treatment |
| clinical trials nurse | coordinates recruitment to clinical trials and acts as a link between you and the researchers if you join a clinical trial |
| pharmacist | dispenses medicines and gives advice about dosage and side effects |
| dietitian | helps with nutrition concerns and recommends changes to diet during treatment and recovery |
| social worker | links you to support services and helps you with emotional, practical and financial issues |
| physiotherapist, occupational therapist | assist with physical and practical problems, including restoring movement and mobility and recommending aids and equipment |
| counsellor, psychologist | help you manage your emotional response to diagnosis and treatment |
| palliative care specialists and nurses | work closely with the GP and cancer specialists to help control symptoms and maintain quality of life |
→ READ MORE: Hodgkin lymphoma treatment
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Prof Mark Hertzberg AM, Head, Department of Haematology, Prince of Wales Hospital; Dr Puja Bhattacharyya, Haematology Staff Specialist, Western Sydney Local Health District – Blacktown Hospital; A/Prof Susan Carroll, Senior Staff Specialist, Radiation Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital and University of Sydney; Gerry Flanagan, Consumer; Alisha Ganesh, Haematology Clinical Nurse Consultant, Concord Repatriation General Hospital; Kelly King, Cancer Council Liaison, Central Coast Cancer Centre; Ilana Krug, Social Worker – Haematology and Oncology, Gosford Hospital; Amy McGee, Consumer.
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