What Is Hodgkin's Disease?
Hodgkin's disease (also known as
Hodgkin's lymphoma) is one of a group of cancers called lymphomas. Lymphoma is a general term for cancers that develop in the lymphatic system. Hodgkin's disease, an uncommon lymphoma, accounts for less than 1 percent of all cases of cancer in the United States. Other cancers of the lymphatic system are called non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
Because lymph tissue is found throughout the body, Hodgkin's disease can begin in almost any part of the body and spread to almost any tissue or organ in the body. The disease can occur in both adults and children; however, treatment for in adults may be different from treatment for children.
Hodgkin's disease may also occur in people who have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (
AIDS); these people require special treatment.
Understanding the Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system is part of the body's immune system. The immune system fights infections and other diseases.
In the lymphatic system, a network of lymph vessels carries clear fluid called lymph. Lymph vessels lead to small, round organs called lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are filled with lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). The lymph nodes trap and remove bacteria or other harmful substances that may be in the lymph. Groups of lymph nodes are found in the neck, underarms, chest, abdomen (stomach), and groin.
Other parts of the lymphatic system include the tonsils, spleen, and thymus. Lymphatic tissue is also found in other parts of the body, including the stomach, skin, and small intestine.
What Happens in Hodgkin's Disease?
In Hodgkin's disease, cells in the lymphatic system become abnormal. They divide too rapidly and grow without any order or control. Because lymphatic tissue is present in many parts of the body, this disease can start almost anywhere. Hodgkin's disease may occur in a single lymph node, a group of lymph nodes, or, sometimes, in other parts of the lymphatic system, such as the bone marrow and spleen.
Hodgkin's disease tends to spread in a fairly orderly way from one group of lymph nodes to the next. For example, when the disease develops in the lymph nodes in the neck, it spreads first to the nodes above the collarbones and then to the lymph nodes under the arms and within the chest. Eventually, it can spread to almost any other part of the body.
What Causes Hodgkin's Disease?
Hodgkin's research scientists at hospitals and medical centers throughout the world are studying this disease. They are trying to learn more about what causes it and more effective methods of treatment.
At this time, the
cause of Hodgkin's disease is not known, and doctors can seldom explain why one person gets this disease and another does not. It is clear, however, that Hodgkin's disease is not caused by an injury, and it is not contagious; no one can "catch" this disease from another person.
Risk Factors for Hodgkin's Disease
By studying patterns of cancer in the population, researchers have found certain risk factors that are more common in people who get Hodgkin's disease than in those who do not. However, most people with these risk factors do not get the disease, and many who do get it have none of the known risk factors.
The following are some of the risk factors associated with Hodgkin's disease:
- Age/sex: Hodgkin's disease occurs most often in people between 15 and 34 and in people over the age of 55. It is more common in men than in women.
- Family history of the disease: Brothers and sisters of those with Hodgkin's disease have a higher-than-average chance of developing it.
- Viruses: Epstein-Barr virus is an infectious agent that may be associated with an increased chance of getting Hodgkin's disease.
People who are concerned about their risk of developing Hodgkin's disease should talk with their doctor about the disease, the symptoms to watch for, and an appropriate schedule for checkups. The doctor's advice will be based on the person's age, medical history, and other factors.
Types of Hodgkin's Disease
There are five different types of Hodgkin's disease. These types are based on the way the cancer cells look under a microscope, and include:
- Nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's disease
- Mixed cellularity Hodgkin's disease
- Lymphocyte depletion Hodgkin's disease
- Lymphocyte-rich classical Hodgkin's disease
- Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's disease.
Symptoms of Hodgkin's Disease
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Weight loss.
In adults, the disease may cause these and other symptoms. However, other conditions may cause the same symptoms. See a doctor if any of the following problems do not go away in two weeks:
- Painless, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin
- Unexplained fevers
- Drenching night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss
- Itchy skin
- Tiredness or fatigue.
Making a Hodgkin's Disease Diagnosis
Doctors use tests that examine the lymph nodes to find and diagnose adult Hodgkin's disease
(see Diagnosing Hodgkin's Disease for more information).
Treating Hodgkin's Disease
Treatment options for Hodgkin's disease will depend on several factors, such as:
- The type of Hodgkin's disease
- How fast it is spreading
- Whether other health issues are present.
Treatment options most often involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both. Before beginning treatment, you may want to get a second opinion.
Prognosis for Hodgkin's Disease
A person's prognosis for Hodgkin's disease (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following:
- The person's symptoms
- The stage of the cancer
- The type of Hodgkin's disease
- Blood test results
- The person's age, gender, and general health
- Whether the cancer is recurrent or progressive.
Adult Hodgkin's disease can usually be cured if found and treated early. In fact, 70 percent of people with the disease are cured with treatment.
Hodgkin's Disease: A Summary
The following points are important to keep in mind regarding Hodgkin's disease:
