What is the Nordic Protocol, Magda Szubanski's cancer treatment?
On Thursday, beloved Australian actress Magda Szubanski announced that she has stage four cancer.
The 64-year-old, known for her performances in Kath and Kim and sketch show Fast Forward, also revealed she was starting 'one of the best treatments available' – the Nordic protocol.
Here's what we know about it.
What is the Nordic Protocol?
The Nordic Protocol is a type of chemoimmunotherapy treatment. It combines chemotherapy (which slows the growth of cancer cells) with immunotherapy (which aims to restore the immune system).
According to the NSW Cancer Institute, the treatment is suitable for patients under 65 with previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma. Also known as the Nordic Regimen, its name comes from a major trial that happened at the Danish-based Nordic Lymphoma Group.
What is mantle cell lymphoma?
Mantle cell lymphoma is a rare type of B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is a cancer of the lymphatic system – part of the immune system which produces immune cells and protects the body from viruses and bacteria.
According to the Leukaemia Foundation, the cancer is relatively uncommon, accounting for between 5 per cent and 10 per cent of non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
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