Description

Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the body of a germ of fire and the fight against disease of the immune system. Hodgkin's lymphoma begins when healthy cells in the lymphatic system change and grow out of control.

The lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes. It is found throughout the body. Most of the lymph nodes in the abdomen, the groin, the pelvis, the chest, the armpits and the neck.

The lymphatic system also includes the spleen, thymus, tonsils and bone marrow. Hodgkin's lymphoma can affect all of these areas and of other organs in the body.

Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is called Hodgkin's disease, is one of the two major types of lymphoma. The other is the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma have helped to give to people with this disease, the chances of a full recovery.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma may include:

  • Painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin.
  • Fever.
  • Feeling very tired.
  • Night sweats.
  • Weight loss that happens without trying.
  • Itching in the skin.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if they continue to symptoms that worry you. Hodgkin lymphoma symptoms are similar to many more common diseases, such as infections. The health care professional can check the causes first.

Causes

Health care professionals are not sure what causes Hodgkin's lymphoma. It begins with changes in the DNA of a fight against the disease of blood cells called lymphocytes. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell the cell what to do.

The changes in the DNA indicate cells that multiply quickly, and of living when other cells naturally die. Hodgkin's lymphoma cells attract many healthy cells of the immune system to protect and help grow. The extra cells from the crowd in the lymph nodes and cause swelling and other symptoms.

There are several types of Hodgkin's lymphoma. The type of lymphoma that is based on the characteristics of the cells involved in the disease and its behavior. The type of lymphoma you have helps determine your treatment options.

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma is the most common type of this disease. People diagnosed with this type have large lymphoma cells called Reed-Sternberg cells in their lymph nodes.

The subtypes of classical Hodgkin lymphoma include:

  • Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma.
  • Cellularity mixed-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
  • Lymphocyte-depleted Hodgkin's lymphoma.
  • Lymphocyte-rich Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma

This type of Hodgkin lymphoma is much more rare. Involves the lymphoma cells are sometimes called popcorn cells due to the way they look. Usually, it is diagnosed in time, and may need less intensive treatments of the classical type of Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase the risk of Hodgkin's lymphoma include:

  • Of his age. Hodgkin's lymphoma is most often diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 30 years and older than 65 years of age.
  • A family history of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Having a blood relative with Hodgkin's lymphoma increases the risk of Hodgkin's lymphoma.
  • The fact of being a man. The people who are assigned male at birth are slightly more likely to develop Hodgkin's lymphoma, which are those that are assigned to women in childbirth.
  • Past the Epstein-Barr virus infection. People who have had the disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus are at increased risk of Hodgkin's lymphoma than those who do not. An example is infectious mononucleosis.
  • HIVinfection. People who are infected with HIV have an increased risk of Hodgkin's lymphoma.

There is no way to prevent Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma often starts with a test that verifies the presence of swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit and groin. Other tests include imaging tests and removing some cells for analysis. The type of tests used for the diagnosis may depend on the lymphoma of the location and its symptoms.

Physical examination

A health professional may start by asking about your symptoms. The health care professional also may ask about your health history.

Then, the health professional can feel and press on the parts of your body to check for inflammation or pain. To find swollen lymph nodes, the health professional can feel the neck, the armpits and the groin. Make sure to say if you have felt any lumps or pain.

Blood tests

A sample of your blood is examined in a laboratory to understand their health and look for signs of cancer.

Biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue for testing in a lab. For Hodgkin's lymphoma, biopsy usually involves the removal of one or more lymph nodes. The lymph nodes to go to a lab to look for cancer cells. Other special tests to give more details on the cancer cells. Your health care team uses this information to make a treatment plan. Sometimes a biopsy is taken from other parts of the body such as the liver, to look for signs of Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Imaging tests

Your health care team may recommend imaging tests to look for signs of lymphoma in other areas of your body. The tests may include a chest x-ray, computed tomography , magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography scans, also called PET.

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are procedures that involve the collection of cells of the bone marrow. The cells are sent for analysis. Tests can look for Hodgkin's lymphoma cells.

Hodgkin's lymphoma stages

The results of the test are used to assign a stage of Hodgkin's lymphoma. The stage helps determine the severity of their disease and the treatments most likely to help you.

Hodgkin's lymphoma assay uses the numbers 1 to 4 to indicate the stage. A lower number means that the lymphoma cells involves only one or a few areas of the lymph nodes. An early-stage cancer is more likely to be cured. As the lymphoma grows the participation of more areas of the body, the stage number comes up. A higher number means the cancer is more advanced.

Hodgkin's lymphoma stage also can include the letters a and B. The letter a means that you do not have troubling symptoms of lymphoma. The letter B means that you have some of the symptoms, such as fever or weight loss.

Treatment

Many types of treatments available to treat Hodgkin's lymphoma. Treatment often starts with the chemotherapy. Your health care team can check to see how the lymphoma is responding and decide if you need more treatment. Your options may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and bone marrow transplant, also called stem cell transplantation. Sometimes, a combination of treatments is used.

The treatment that is best for you depends on the type of Hodgkin lymphoma you have. Your health care team may also consider the stage of your lymphoma, if you have any of the symptoms and your overall health.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy treats the cancer with strong medications. Many chemotherapy drugs exist. The majority of chemotherapy drugs are given through a vein. Some come in the form of a pill.

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma treatment usually involves a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Sometimes, chemotherapy can be the only treatment needed. More advanced disease can be treated with a combination of chemotherapy and drugs that attack specific chemicals in cancer cells, known as targeted therapy.

For nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, chemotherapy may be combined with targeted therapy and radiation therapy.

Side effects of chemotherapy depend on the drugs you are given. The common side effects are nausea and hair loss. Serious long-term complications can occur, such as heart disease, lung damage, fertility problems and other types of cancer.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy treats cancer with powerful rays of energy. The energy can come from X-rays, protons or other sources. During radiation therapy, you lie on a table while a machine moves around you. The machine directs radiation to precise points on your body.

For Hodgkin's lymphoma, the radiation can be directed to affected lymph nodes and close to areas where the disease might spread. It is generally used with chemotherapy. Radiation therapy may be the only treatment needed for early-stage nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma.

Radiation therapy side effects include fatigue and a sunburn-like reaction in the skin at the site where the radiation is aimed. Other side effects depend on where the radiation is aimed. The radiation in the neck can cause dryness in the mouth and damage to the thyroid. Radiation to the chest can injure the heart and the lungs.

Bone marrow transplantation

A bone marrow transplant, also called a bone marrow stem cell transplantation, involves placing healthy bone marrow stem cells in the body. These cells replace the cells from damage by chemotherapy and other treatments. A bone marrow transplant may be an option if the Hodgkin lymphoma comes back or does not respond to other treatments.

During a bone marrow transplant, his own blood stem cells are removed, frozen and stored. Then, you receive high doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells in your body. Finally, the stored stem cells are thawed and put back in your body to help build healthy bone marrow.

There is a greater risk of infection after transplantation.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy for cancer is a treatment that uses drugs that attack specific chemicals in cancer cells. By blocking these chemicals, the targeted therapy may cause cancer cells to die. Targeted therapy is often combined with chemotherapy for the treatment of nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma.

For classical Hodgkin lymphoma, targeted therapy may be an option in certain situations.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy for cancer is a treatment with a medication that helps the body's immune system destroys the cancer cells. The immune system fights diseases by attacking the germs and other cells that should not be in the body. Cancer cells survive by hiding from the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the cells of the immune system find and kill cancer cells.

For Hodgkin's lymphoma, immunotherapy might be considered in certain situations, such as if the disease does not respond to other treatments.

Alternative medicine

There are alternative medicines that have been found to treat Hodgkin's lymphoma. But the integrative medicine can help you deal with the stress of a cancer diagnosis and the side effects of cancer treatment.

Talk with your health care professional about your options, such as:

  • Art therapy.
  • Exercise.
  • Meditation.
  • Music therapy.
  • The relaxation exercises.
  • Spirituality.

Coping and support

A Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis can be difficult. The following strategies and resources that can help you deal with your diagnosis:

Learn about the Hodgkin's lymphoma

Learn enough about your cancer to feel comfortable in making decisions about your treatment and care. Talk with your health care team. To search for information in the local library and on the internet. You can begin your search for information with the Lymphoma Research Foundation and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Maintain a strong support system

Having a support system can help you cope. Get support from friends, family, a formal support group or other in front of the cancer.

Set reasonable goals

Having goals can help you feel in control and give you a sense of purpose. Avoid setting goals that you can't possibly reach. For example, if you can't work full time, you may be able to work part-time. Many people find that continuing the work can be useful.

Take time for yourself

Eat well, relax and get plenty of rest can help to combat the stress and fatigue of cancer. Plan for downtime when you may need to rest or limit what you do.

Stay active

Receiving a cancer diagnosis does not mean that you have to stop doing the things you enjoy. If you are feeling well enough to do something, do it. It is important to stay active and involved as much as you can.

Preparing for your appointment

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you. You may be referred to a physician that specializes in diseases that affect the cells of the blood. This type of doctor is called a hematologist.

Appointments can be brief, and there is often a large amount of information to analyze. So it's a good idea to be prepared. Here's some information to help you prepare.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there is anything that you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet before the test.
  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking.
  • Consider the possibility of a family member or friend. Sometimes it can be difficult to absorb all of the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Write questions to ask.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of their time together. A list of questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For Hodgkin's lymphoma, some basic questions to ask include:

  • Do I have Hodgkin's lymphoma?
  • What type of Hodgkin's lymphoma do I have?
  • What stage is my condition?
  • More evidence is needed?
  • I need treatment?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • What are the possible side effects of each treatment?
  • How will the treatment affect my daily life? Can I keep working?
  • How long is treatment?
  • There is a treatment you think is best for me?
  • If you have a friend or loved one in my situation, what advice would you give to that person?
  • You should see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
  • Do you have brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?

In addition to the questions you have prepared, do not hesitate to ask additional questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask questions. Be prepared to answer them you can save your time to review the points that you want to spend more time. The questions may include:

  • When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
  • Have someone in your family has had cancer, including Hodgkin's lymphoma?
  • You or someone in your family has had the conditions that affect the immune system?
  • Have had infections in the past?
  • Have you or your family has been exposed to toxins?
Symptoms and treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma (Hodgkin disease)