Continuing to Live the Life You Want After Battling Cancer
Actor Michael C. Hall, 55, returns to “Dexter: Resurrection” as a 15‑year Hodgkin lymphoma survivor, reflecting on how treatment forced him to open up about his diagnosis.
Hall was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, in 2009, and treatment varies from patient to patient. Chemotherapy and radiation are often the primary lines of treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma. Hall underwent chemotherapy.
He reached remission in 2010 and now speaks openly about the strength he found in others’ support.
Hodgkin lymphoma symptoms may include swelling in the lymph nodes in your neck, night sweats, fever, itching, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
Most patients with Hodgkin lymphoma achieve remission after initial treatment. Research published in the medical journal Author Manuscript found that “25% of patients will experience a relapse,” which means the cancer has returned and another treatment option is needed.
Actor Michael C. Hall, 55, is etched in pop culture as the unnervingly calm antihero of “Dexter” and is gearing up for a Halloween‑season return with “Dexter: Resurrection” season two. The actor, a longtime cancer survivor, was recently spotted filming final scenes on the streets of New York City.
Hall enters this new chapter 15 years cancer‑free.
He was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, in 2009 while filming “Dexter”, a revelation he kept private from most people, including his castmates, until treatment made secrecy nearly impossible.
Michael C. Hall won the Golden Globe in 2010 (above) while still undergoing chemotherapy.
He began chemotherapy the day after wrapping a season, and the visible side effects — especially hair loss — eventually prompted questions and concern.
“I really underestimated how much [other people’s support] would be a source of inspiration or strength,” he told “The Guardian” at the time.
Cancer disclosure is a personal decision, and some people share openly; others keep their experience close. SurvivorNet experts emphasize that every approach is valid.
Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that specifically affects the immune system. It targets infection-fighting cells called lymphocytes, which are a kind of white blood cell.
Lymphomas are subcategorized as either Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the latter being the more common type. Hodgkin lymphoma often originates in B cells, a component of the lymphatic system that produces antibodies to help protect against germs. When B cells are compromised, they cannot effectively protect against germs, thereby increasing your risk of infection.
WATCH: The type of lymphoma you have matters.
Hodgkin lymphoma symptoms may include swelling in the lymph nodes in your neck, night sweats, fever, itching, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, and pain after consuming alcohol.
Lymphoma Treatment Options
Lymphoma treatment largely depends on the nature of your specific diagnosis. For non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, their cancer is more likely to spread randomly and be discovered in different groups of lymph nodes in the body. Hodgkin lymphoma cancers, on the other hand, are more likely to grow consistently from one group of lymph nodes directly to another.
Treatment options for Hodgkin lymphoma include chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemo with stem cell transplant.
WATCH: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment options.
Again, the treatment route mainly taken depends on the nature of the cancer and how it is progressing. As for Hall, he underwent chemotherapy, which helped him reach remission.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) defines remission as a “decrease in or disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer.” In general, patients who remain in remission for at least five years are considered to have “no signs of cancer” or “no evidence of disease.” Physicians often avoid saying someone is “cured” of cancer because some cancer cells can remain in the body and could return years down the road (also called recurrence).
According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, “More than 80 percent of all patients diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma can be cured by current treatment approaches.”
Understanding Lymphoma Recurrence
For many patients with Hodgkin lymphoma, achieving remission through treatment is highly possible. However, according to research published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Author Manuscript, “approximately 25% of patients will experience a relapse or be refractory to initial therapy.”
A relapse means the cancer has returned, and the patient should consider another form of treatment. Treating relapsed lymphoma depends on the type of lymphoma the patient has.
WATCH: What’s the Risk of Relapse After Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment?
Doctors will assess the risk of relapse in a lymphoma patient.
“We think that the risk of relapse after initial therapy … could be anywhere from 20% to maybe 50%,” medical oncologist Dr. Michael Jain added.
For patients, follow-up care for a few years after treatment is important. During these regular follow-up visits, doctors give physical exams that include an assessment of lymph nodes, symptoms, blood tests to check for signs of cancer, and possibly imaging scans.
Between visits, patients should notify their doctors if they develop any new symptoms. If cancer does return, catching it early will offer the best hope of a second treatment success.
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
If you are facing a lymphoma diagnosis, here are some questions you can ask your doctor to begin your journey to a successful outcome.
What type of lymphoma do I have?
What stage of my lymphoma is in, and if it has spread, how far?
Do we need to treat the cancer immediately?
Should I get more opinions about the treatment options available?
What are some possible side effects I should expect during treatment?
