"My Chemo Smirk!" Radio Host Dan Bongino Shares Treatment Picture As He Fights Hodgkin Lymphoma

Bongino playfully wrote: “My chemo smirk! Round two about to begin.” His willingness to share his cancer journey with us has raised awareness around Hodgkin Lymphoma, and what the treatment process for this disease looks like.

 

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Understanding Hodgkin Lymphoma

Bongino received a diagnosis of Hodgkin Lymphoma after he discovered a lump on his neck, which turned out to be a tumor. This led to his cancer diagnosis. Lymphoma is a type of cancer that is generally classified as either Hodgkin Lymphoma or Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. The distinction between the two has to do with a person’s white blood cells linked to the disease.

Related: 7 Sneaky Symptoms of Hodgkin Lymphoma: Doctor Told One Teen Her Itchy Rash Later Diagnosed at Stage 4 Was 'Nothing to Worry About'

If doctors are unable to detect the Reed-Sternberg cell (a giant cell derived from B lymphocytes), then the lymphoma is categorized as Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. However, if Reed-Sternberg cells are present, the lymphoma is diagnosed as Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Related: What's the Risk of Relapse After Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment?

In an earlier interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Elise Chong, a medical oncologist at Penn Medicine, said that lymphoma symptoms can be difficult to detect, and thus can lead to a late diagnosis. "The symptoms of lymphoma, especially if you have a low-grade lymphoma, often are no symptoms. People say, but I feel completely fine, and that's very normal,” said Dr. Chong.

Dr. Jason Westin explains symptoms associated with lymphoma

Chemotherapy During COVID-19

Going through cancer treatment during 2020, as Bongino is, adds an extra layer of needed caution to make sure you are protecting yourself against COVID-19. The global pandemic has impacted cancer screenings and treatment. We’re happy to see that Bongino is safely able to get treatment for his Hodgin Lymphoma during this time.

Related: Terry Crews' Wife, Rebecca, Fought Cancer During the Pandemic; Now the Family Finds Their New Normal

In an earlier interview with Survivornet, Dr. Michael Grossbard, the Section Chief of Hematology at NYU Langone Hospital and at the Perlmutter Cancer Center, commented on a recent UK study. The UK Coronavirus Cancer Monitoring Project (UKCCMP) launched a trial in March studying hundreds of cancer patients who were positive for COVID-19. Those who were negatively affected by continuing their cancer treatments were people who were older or those who had comorbidities.

Related: COVID-19 Cases Spiking, Cancer Patients Need To Stay Vigilant, Be Careful of Crowds and Travel

Dr. Grossbard told SurvivorNet, “One thing one can say about the study in the UK is it does give us some cause for optimism that patients with cancer are not at greater risk and at least some types of cancer are not at greater risk of dying from a COVID-19 infection. The data that held up in their study was that older patients are at greater risk, which is a known risk factor. But when they looked at particular cancers getting chemotherapy, they didn’t see that risk. To me, that says that our less intensive chemotherapy, particularly of the kind that we typically give to patients with breast cancer or prostate cancer, can likely be very safely given during COVID.”

Some Cancer Patients Can Get Chemotherapy Without A Higher Risk Of COVID-19 Infection, Study Shows

 

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