Hodgkin's Lymphoma: An Overview
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops in the lymph system, which is part of the body's immune system. Lymphomas are divided into two general types: Hodgkin's lymphoma (also known as
Hodgkin's disease) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Because lymph tissue is found throughout the body, Hodgkin's lymphoma can begin in almost any part of the body and spread to almost any tissue or organ in the body.
Hodgkin's lymphoma can occur in both adults and children; however, treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma in adults may be different from treatment for children. Hodgkin's lymphoma may also occur in patients who have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (
AIDS); these patients require special treatment.
Types of Hodgkin's Lymphoma
There are five different types of Hodgkin's lymphoma. These different types are based on the way they look under a microscope. The five types include:
- Nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Mixed cellularity Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Lymphocyte depletion Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Lymphocyte-rich classical Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Risk Factors for Hodgkin's Lymphoma
At this point,
Hodgkin's research scientists are not sure of the cause or causes of Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, they do know of certain factors that increase a person's chances for developing Hodgkin's lymphoma. These risk factors for adult Hodgkin's lymphoma include the following:
- Being in young or late adulthood
- Being male
- Being infected with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
- Having a first-degree relative (parent, brother, or sister) with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Symptoms of Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Possible symptoms of Hodgkin's lymphoma include:
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Weight loss.
These and other symptoms may be caused by adult Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, other conditions may also 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 Lymphoma Diagnosis
In order to make a Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis, the doctor will typically ask a number of questions and perform a physical exam looking for signs and symptoms of Hodgkin's lymphoma. He or she may also recommend certain imaging or blood tests. However, when diagnosing
Hodgkin's disease, only a biopsy can tell a doctor for sure whether a person has the disease or not.
Hodgkin's Lymphoma Stages
After the doctor makes a Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis, he or she needs to determine the stage, or extent, of the cancer in order to plan treatment. The
stages of Hodgkin's lymphoma range from stage I through stage IV, and are further categorized based on where the cancer is found, where it has spread, and what symptoms a patient has. Stages of Hodgkin's lymphoma are determined through tests, such as a biopsy, chest x-ray, or CT scan.
Treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment options will depend on several things, such as the type of Hodgkin's involved, how fast it is spreading, and whether other health issues are present. Hodgkin's lymphoma is most often treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both. Before beginning Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment, you may want to get a second opinion.
Prognosis for Hodgkin's Lymphoma
- The patient's symptoms
- The stage of the cancer
- The type of Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Blood test results
- The patient's age, gender, and general health
- Whether the cancer is recurrent or progressive.
Adult Hodgkin's lymphoma can usually be cured if found and treated early. In fact, 70 percent of people with Hodgkin's lymphoma are cured with treatment.
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