This is a cancer type that impacts the lymphatic system. A part of the immune system that fights against germs and diseases is called the lymphatic system. When cells start to multiply and grow out of control in this immune system part, this cancer type happens (Hodgkin lymphoma).
The lymphatic system contains lymph nodes that are located throughout the body. Most of them are located in the abdomen, groin, pelvis, chest, underarms, and neck. This part of the immune system also includes the spleen, tonsils, bone marrow, and thymus. In any case, when Hodgkin lymphoma happens, it negatively affects all organs and parts of the body.
This cancer type is sometimes called Hodgkin’s disease. Experts divided this condition into two groups such as Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Fortunately, there are treatment options available to cure this cancer form.
Hodgkin Lymphoma Types
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma
- Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
- Lymphoma
Symptoms
People with this cancer form usually experience the following symptoms. For example:
- Swelling of the lymph nodes in the armpits, groin, or neck
- Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- Fever
- Itchy skin
- Unusual weight loss
- Night sweats
It is recommended to schedule an appointment with your healthcare professional if you experience any of the previous symptoms. In addition, Hodgkin lymphoma symptoms are very close to those that appear due to other health problems (such as infections).
Causes
While experts do not fully understand why Hodgkin lymphoma occurs, it begins in the DNA changes of Lymphocytes (blood cells that fight against diseases). DNA mutations (changes) cause cells to grow and multiply fast while other cells naturally die. This cancer type attracts different immune system healthy cells to protect and help them grow, causing swelling of the lymph nodes and other symptoms.
However, there are different Hodgkin lymphoma types and it occurs depending on the characteristics of the cells involved in the condition. Physicians prescribe treatment for this cancer according to the type of Hodgkin lymphoma you experience.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
One of the most common types of cancer is classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Those who suffer from this type of disease usually experience large lymphoma cells (Reed-Sternberg cells) in the lymph nodes. Check below some subtypes of the classical Hodgkin lymphoma:
- Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma
- Mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma
- Lymphocyte-depleted Hodgkin lymphoma
- Lymphocyte-rich Hodgkin lymphoma
Nodular Lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma
This type of condition happens quite rarely and it involves lymphoma cells in some cases called popcorn due to how they look. However, this form of Hodgkin lymphoma is early diagnosed and to not require intensive treatments compared to the previous type.
Risk Factors
Check below some factors that could elevate your risk of developing Hodgkin lymphoma:
- Age – This cancer type is mostly diagnosed in people between 20-30 years old and over 65 years old.
- Family history of Hodgkin lymphoma
- Sex – Men and people assigned to males at birth (AMAB) are more prone to develop this cancer type than women and people assigned to females at birth (AFAB).
- Epstein-Barr infection – Those who have had an infection (infectious mononucleosis) caused by Epstein-Barr virus, are at higher risk of developing Hodgkin lymphoma.
- HIV infection – You are at increased risk of getting this cancer type if you experience HIV infection.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to prevent this health condition.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma usually begins with a physical examination and questions about symptoms and medical history. During the physical exam, doctors will check for swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, and groin. However, physicians may also perform some additional tests that will help to confirm the condition. Examples include:
- Blood tests – Doctors may get a sample of the blood and send it to the laboratory to check for cancerous cells.
- Biopsy – This test involves the removal of a sample of tissue and sending it to the laboratory. Doctors will look for cancer cells.
- Imaging tests – These tests are used to make detailed images of different body areas. These include X-ray, CT, MRI, and PET (positron emission tomography) scans.
- Bone marrow biopsy and aspiration – During this test, physicians collect cells from the bone marrow and send them to the laboratory to check for Hodgkin lymphoma cells.
Hodgkin Lymphoma Stages
Previous tests also help doctors to determine the stage of the cancer you experience. Staging of the cancer helps to understand how serious the condition is and determine the best treatments for you.
To indicate the stage of the Hodgkin lymphoma, doctors use numbers from 1 to 4. The lower numbers indicate the cancer develops in one of a few lymph nodes. Moreover, if you experience stage 1 or 2 of Hodgkin lymphoma, you are more likely to fully recover after treatment. People with stages 3 or 4 means they have an advanced form of this cancer. In other words, the cancer cells begin to spread throughout the body.
In some cases, stages of this cancer type include letters A and B. A letter means the patient does not experience any serious symptoms of the lymphoma while a B letter means the patient may have some severe lymphoma symptoms including fever and sudden weight loss.
Treatment
However, there are different treatment methods available for Hodgkin lymphoma but it usually starts with chemotherapy. Thereafter, doctors will analyze how you respond to this treatment and will decide if you need an additional one. Additional treatment options include radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and bone marrow transplant (stem cell transplant).
Furthermore, treatments usually differ among the patients because it depends on the stage of the cancer you experience, symptoms, existing health problems, and other factors. Check below the treatment options usually recommended by doctors in detail:
Chemotherapy
This treatment option involves strong medications that travel through the bloodstream and destroy cancer cells. These medications are usually given intravenously (IV) but some of them come in tablets or capsules.
Healthcare providers recommend for people with classical Hodgkin lymphoma chemotherapy along with radiation therapy but sometimes chemotherapy is enough. People with an advanced form of this cancer type and with nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma may need a combination of treatments which include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy.
While chemotherapy can provoke the following adverse reactions such as hair loss and nausea, it may cause some complications including lung damage, infertility, other cancer types, heart disease, and other health problems.
Radiation Therapy
This treatment option involves powerful energy beams directed to the affected areas to kill cancer cells. While this therapy is prescribed by doctors along with chemotherapy, for people with early-stage nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma may be the only treatment needed.
The adverse reactions that happen due to radiation therapy depend on the body part that is affected by cancerous cells. Check below some side effects caused by this treatment:
- Lung and heart damage
- Dry mouth
- Thyroid damage
- Sunburn-like skin reaction
- Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
Bone Marrow Transplant
This procedure is also known as stem cell transplant and it is advised by doctors when other treatment options are not effective for you. It involves the replacement of the cells damaged by chemotherapy and other treatment methods with healthy ones.
While is an effective treatment option, people who receive it are at higher risk of developing infections.
Targeted Therapy
This cancer treatment involves medicines that destroy certain chemicals in the cancer cells, which provoke them to die. This treatment option is usually used along with chemotherapy. However, targeted therapy is mostly used for patients with nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. For people with classical Hodgkin lymphoma, targeted therapy is less commonly used.
Immunotherapy
It involves medications that boost the immune system to fight against cancer cells. Additionally, cancer cells produce certain substances that help to hide them from the immune system. Thus, physicians prescribe specific medications that help the body’s defense (immune system) identify and kill cancer cells. However, it is used for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma if other treatments do not work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the life expectancy for people with Hodgkin lymphoma?
The survival rate for those who experience this cancer type is 90% for 1 year or more after diagnosis, 85% for 5 years, and 75% for 10 years or more after they were diagnosed.
Can Hodgkin lymphoma be cured?
Yes, this condition is highly curable, especially if it is early diagnosed. With proper treatment, you can get rid of symptoms and completely recover. Talk with your doctor for more details.
What are the main symptoms of Hodgkin’s disease?
- Prolonged tiredness
- Fever
- Chills
- Persistent itching throughout the body
- Loss of appetite
- Night sweats
- Swollen lymph nodes usually in the armpits, neck, or groin
- Unexplained weight loss
If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, do not hesitate to see a doctor. In case you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
