Hodgkin Lymphoma or Hodgkin’s disease is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cells. The white blood cells are an important part of the immune system and when a person has Hodgkin lymphoma, the immune system gets affected. Hodgkin lymphoma is characterized by formation of peculiar cells by B Lymphocytes commonly known as Reed Stenberg Cells in the lymphatic node. Hodgkin disease could be categorically of two different types:.

• Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Nodular Sclerosis

Symptoms of Hodgkin Lymphoma

The various symptoms of this disease include:

1. Swollen (but painless) lymph nodes especially around neck, armpit and groin area
2. Itching in body
3. Difficulty in breathing (This occurs when lymphomas have spread to lung and blocks the wind pipe to breathe)
4. Drastic weight loss
5. Soaking night sweat
6. Loss of appetite
7. Fatigue
8. Fever and chills
9. Pain in lymph nodes after consuming alcohol, and increased sensitivity to its effects

These symptoms can be noticed for other conditions can also occur with some other conditions too. In case you have these symptoms, you should have yourself examined by a doctor.

Causes of Hodgkin Lymphoma

The doctors are yet to ascertain a definitive cause of this cancer. The doctors say that this disease occurs when the DNA of a B cell gets mutated. This cell is responsible for fighting infection. After the cells get mutated from their original form, they tend to live longer and multiply than a normal cell. As a result of this, there is an overproduction of these abnormal B cells in the lymphatic system. The lymph node, in which these cells accumulate, shows symptoms of this disease. There are various subtypes of Hodgkin lymphoma.

However, doctors say that some people are of greater risk of having this disease. It is very common amongst people between age groups of 15 to 35 and adults more than 55 years of age. Those who have a family history of Hodgkin lymphoma are also prone to develop Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma at a later stage in life (this includes brother, sister or anyone else in the family). This disease is more likely to affect males than females. Those who have a very weak immune system due are very prone to have Hodgkin lymphoma; for example, patients who have had an organ transplant are prescribed medications to suppress their immune system. Those who have HIV or AIDS also have a very weak immune system, are also at risk of developing this disease.

Those who have had an infection in the past that was caused by the Epstein virus, for example infectious mononucleosis are prone to develop Hodgkin lymphoma than those who never had this infection.

Diagnosis of Hodgkin Lymphoma

1. By Physical Examination of Lymph Nodes: The doctor might asses a critical mass by evaluating its hardness
   1. A hard and gritty lymphoma signifies metastasis ( A stage where cancer cells migrate to other body parts from their place of origin)
   2. A comparatively soft but firm node indicates local or benign lymphoma
   3. A soft node signals occurrence of infection or inflammation in the lymph nodes
2. X Ray: An X Ray of the chest could determine any lymphoma in chest lymph nodes
3. CT Scan (Computer Tomography Scan): This technology studies the lymphoma in chest and neck region it could even estimate the size and stage of tumor
4. Positron Emission Tomography (PET): This is a more detailed test it could study whether a cancer is benign or malignant and it may help doctors to decide what treatment is to be given to a patient
5. Biopsy: Biopsy is the most definitive way to analyze cancer. A sample of lymph fluid is extracted from patient’s body and is given to a pathologist for examination.
6. Blood Test: Your doctor might ask you to do a blood test to check the count of white blood cells and other substances present in blood

Stages of Hodgkin Lymphoma

The treatment and prognosis of Hodgkin disease depends on the stage and location of lymphoma. On this basis it is categorized in IV stages:

Stage 1: Disease is confined to a single node not bothering other organs
Stage 2. Disease has spread to more than one lymph node but is still concentrated in one region
Stage 3. Disease occurs in Diaphragm or has spread to Spleen
Stage 4. When the disease has become wild and spreads to other organs like spleen, liver, lung and bone marrow

Recurrent: The disease recurs after the treatment

Treatment of Hodgkin Lymphoma

Your doctor will tell you about the treatment options available and what you should expect from that treatment. The treatment will be based on your individual needs. The choice of the treatment will depend on the type, stage, size, of Hodgkin lymphoma. It also depends on your age and the symptoms.

Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the most preferred modes of treatment to cure this disease. The treatment for adults is different than that given to the teenagers. Although the standard regimen for chemotherapy to treat this malignancy is ABVD chemotherapy, your team of doctors will decide the treatment plan that will suit you. There are many side effects of the treatment. The regimens used for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is not the same as Hodgkin lymphoma; for example, RCHOP chemotherapy is used to cure this disease.

Men must consult their health care professional for fertility after Hodgkin disease treatment they should either go for Sperm freezing process or should opt for other assisted reproductive techniques. Women after the treatment face high risk in preserving their fertility, if they conceive or are planning to get pregnant one must dependably consult the doctor for certain hormonal support.

Researches reveal that Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the most curable of all types of lymphomas, especially, if it diagnosed at an early stage. In most of the cases, this cancer is curable even it is diagnosed in the later stages. The chance of relapse of the Hodgkin lymphoma remains even after the treatment. Patients must regularly refer their doctors for monitoring even few decades after the treatment. They should maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat balanced diet, exercise on a regular basis and rest intermittently.