Latest news with #NordicProtocol
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
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.
The Age
2 days ago
- Health
- The Age
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.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
What is Nordic protocol, a treatment routine for rare and aggressive cancers?
While cancer always seems to be undefeatable, a special treatment routine is getting more attention. Australian comedian Magda Szubanski recently spoke about a special treatment she will be opting for after being diagnosed with stage four Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), which is a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer. 'It's serious, but I've started one of the best treatments available (the Nordic protocol),' the 64-year-old told the media. Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) is a rare and aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that starts in the "mantle zone" of lymph nodes. It often spreads quickly to other parts of the body like the bone marrow, spleen, and gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms can include swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, weight loss, and night sweats. Because it's fast-growing, MCL typically requires immediate and intensive treatment, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and sometimes stem cell transplants. While it's challenging to cure, newer targeted therapies, like Nordic protocol, are offering hope and better outcomes for many patients living with MCL. What is Nordic protocol? The Nordic Protocol is a specific type of cancer treatment plan, mostly used for certain blood cancers, especially lymphomas like Burkitt lymphoma and leukemias in kids and young adults. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 40대 이상이고 PC가 있으세요? 그럼 이 게임을 정말 좋아하실 거예요! Sea of Conquest 플레이하기 Undo It's called 'Nordic' because it was originally developed and used in—you guessed it—Nordic countries like Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. Now, this isn't some fancy herbal remedy or treatment. It's hardcore, hospital-based chemotherapy—a very structured, carefully planned combo of cancer-killing drugs designed to wipe out fast-growing cancer cells in the blood and lymph system. So what makes it special? The Nordic Protocol is intense. It uses a mix of powerful chemo drugs, often including things like cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, cytarabine, and doxorubicin (each one does a different job). It's very targeted and time-sensitive. The Nordic Protocol is known for being aggressive but precise, which means it's hard on the cancer but tries to be as manageable as possible for the patient. Because it was created for young patients, doctors try to balance effectiveness with fewer long-term side effects. Does it work? Yup, it's got a pretty good track record—high cure rates for certain lymphomas, especially when caught early. It's widely respected around the world, especially in pediatric oncology circles. That said, it's not a one-size-fits-all plan. Doctors customize it based on things like your age, how advanced the cancer is, and how your body responds to early treatments. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
What is the Nordic Protocol? The very intense treatment Magda Szubanski will undergo to treat her stage 4 blood cancer - and why it's 'the best'
Magda Szubanski will undergo one of the 'best' - yet most intense - treatments after receiving a soul-crushing stage four blood cancer diagnosis. The Australian comedian broke news to her fans that she had been diagnosed with stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma - a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer. 'It's serious, but I've started one of the best treatments available (the Nordic protocol), and I'm lucky to be getting absolutely world-class care here in Melbourne,' the 64-year-old actress said in a post on Instagram. The Nordic protocol is a treatment regimen for Mantle Cell Lymphoma that works by shrinking tumours using a combination of drugs administered in five phases. While it's unclear what Magda's treatment in Australia involves specifically, the regimen usually follows the same structure. The Nordic regimen - which earned its name from clinical trials performed in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland - is also known as Maxi-CHOP and uses several high doses of intense drugs to kill cancer cells, stop their growth, help the immune system attack them and, ideally, assist patients in long-term remission. So how does it work? Patients undergo intensive chemotherapy, alternating cycles of Maxi-CHOP and high-dose Cytarabine (another chemo drug) every 21 days, for a total of six rounds. During the first five days of treatment, patients are required to take an oral medication called Prednisone - a white tablet that's a type of steroid used to reduce inflammation and also help fight cancer. What is the Nordic protocol? The Nordic protocol, also known as Maxi-CHOP, is a treatment regimen for Mantle Cell Lymphoma that works by shrinking tumours using a combination of drugs administered over five phases. The treatment is said to use several high doses of intensive drugs to kill cancer cells, stop their growth, help the immune system attack them and achieve long-term remission. What's in the treatments? Rituximab - helps your immune system find and destroy cancer cells Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine - kill fast-growing cancer cells in different ways Prednisone - a steroid that reduces inflammation and also helps fight cancer Cytarabine - another chemo drug that stops cancer cells from copying themselves After a few rounds, healthy cells are collected from the blood for future transplantation. The third phase involves stem cell purging, where an antibody drug called rituximab is administered that targets specific proteins on cancer cells, aiding the immune system in destroying them. During high-dose therapy, patients undergo intensive chemotherapy to eradicate residual cancer cells, followed by the reinfusion of their purified stem cells to restore healthy bone marrow function. If relapse occurs, patients may be administered another dose of rituximab to prevent cancer from coming back. The average age of diagnosis for Mantle Cell Lymphoma is between 60 and 65 years, with the condition being two to three times more common in men than in women. In a gut-wrenching post, the beloved comedian revealed she had been battling a rare and 'fast-moving' blood cancer. 'I won't sugar-coat it: it's rough. But I'm hopeful. I'm being lovingly cared for by friends and family, my medical team is brilliant, and I've never felt more held by the people around me,' she said. 'I'll be lying very low while my immune system takes a hammering, so if you see me out and about - don't hug me, kiss me, or breathe anywhere near me! Wave enthusiastically from a safe distance and know I love you madly. 'This is an obscure cancer and was only discovered incidentally via a breast screen where they found my lymph nodes were up.' The TV personality said she had been feeling pretty unwell for a while, so she decided to get extra blood tests as a precaution - but ended up discovering her devastating diagnosis. 'So the take away is - get tested and listen to your body,' she urged her fans. 'For now, just know I'm in good hands, good spirits - but I reserve my yuman right to be a cranky old moll. 'Love you all, Mags.'
