Hodgkin’s lymphoma
DEFINITION
Hodgkin’s lymphoma — formerly known as Hodgkin’s disease — is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of your immune system.
In Hodgkin’s lymphoma, cells in the lymphatic system grow abnormally and may spread beyond the lymphatic system. As Hodgkin’s lymphoma progresses, it compromises your body’s ability to fight infection.
Hodgkin’s lymphoma is one of two common types of cancers of the lymphatic system. The other type, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, is far more common.
Advances in diagnosis and treatment of Hodgkin’s lymphoma have helped give people with this diagnosis the chance for a full recovery. The prognosis continues to improve for people with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
CAUSES
It’s not clear what causes Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Doctors know that most Hodgkin’s lymphoma occurs when an infection-fighting cell called a B cell develops a mutation in its DNA. The mutation tells the cells to divide rapidly and to continue living when a healthy cell would die. The mutation causes a large number of oversized, abnormal B cells to accumulate in the lymphatic system, where they crowd out healthy cells and cause the signs and symptoms of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Various types of Hodgkin’s lymphoma exist. The type is based on the types of cells involved in your disease and their behavior. Your type determines your treatment options.
Classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the more common type of this disease. It can be broken down further into subtypes. People diagnosed with classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma have large, abnormal cells called Reed-Sternberg cells in their lymph nodes.
Subtypes of classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma include:
- Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Mixed cellularity Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Lymphocyte-depleted Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Lymphocyte-rich classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin’s lymphoma
This much rarer type of Hodgkin’s lymphoma involves large, abnormal cells that are sometimes called popcorn cells because of their appearance. Treatment may be different from the classical type. People with this type of Hodgkin’s lymphoma may have a better chance of a cure when the disease is diagnosed at an early stage.
SYMPTOMS
Hodgkin’s lymphoma signs and symptoms may include:
- Painless swelling of lymph nodes in your neck, armpits or groin
- Persistent fatigue
- Fever and chills
- Night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss — as much as 10 percent or more of your body weight
- Loss of appetite
- Itching
- Increased sensitivity to the effects of alcohol or pain in your lymph nodes after drinking alcohol
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you.
