Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments!

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments that we should not ignore. Furthermore, Hodgkin’s disease (HD) is a type of lymphoma, which is a cancer of the blood that starts in the lymphatic system . The lymphatic system helps the immune system get rid of waste and fight infections . HD is also called Hodgkin’s disease, Hodgkin’s lymphoma .

Hodgkin ‘s Lymphoma originates in white blood cells that help protect you from germs and infections. These white blood cells are called lymphocytes. In people with Hodgkin’s, these cells grow abnormally and spread beyond the lymphatic system. As the disease progresses, it makes it harder for your body to fight infections.

HD can be classic Hodgkin’s disease or nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin’s disease (NLPHD). The type of HD is based on the types of cells involved in its condition and its behavior.

The main cause of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is not known. The disease has been linked to cellular mutations, or changes, as well as the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which causes mononucleosis. Hodgkin ‘s lymphoma can occur at any age, but it usually affects people between the ages of 15 and 40 and people over 55.

The overall survival rate for HD has increased due to advances in treatment. The five-year survival rate is about 85% and the 10-year survival rate is about 81%.

Symptoms of Hodgkin’s Disease:  The most common symptom of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is swollen lymph nodes, which causes a lump to form under the skin. This lump is usually not painful. It may form in one or more of the following areas:

• On the side of the neck ;
• In the armpit;
• Around the groin ;
• night sweat ;
• itchy skin;
• fever ;
• fatigue;
• Unintentional weight loss;
• persistent cough ;
• Pain in the ganglia after consuming alcohol;
• Enlarged spleen;

Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. They can be signs of other conditions, and it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis.

How Hodgkin’s Disease is Diagnosed:  To diagnose Hodgkin’s Lymphoma , your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask you about your medical history. Your doctor will also order certain tests to make a proper diagnosis. The following tests can be done:

• Imaging tests, such as X-rays or CT scans;
• Lymph node biopsy, which involves removing a piece of ganglion tissue to test for the presence of abnormal cells
• Blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC), to measure levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
• Immunophenotyping to determine the type of lymphoma cells present;
• Pulmonary function tests to determine how well your lungs are working;
• An echocardiogram to determine how well your heart is working
• Bone marrow biopsy , which involves removing and examining the marrow inside the bones to see if the cancer has spread

Staging:  Once a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma has been made, the cancer is assigned a stage. Stagnation describes the extent and severity of the disease. This will help your doctor determine your treatment options and outlook.

There are four general stages of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma:

• Stage I (early stage) means the cancer is found in a lymph node region.
• Stage II (locally advanced disease) means the cancer is found in two regions of the lymph nodes on one side of the diaphragm, which is the muscle below the
• lung. It may also indicate that the cancer has been found in a lymph node region as well as a nearby organ.
• Stage III (advanced disease) means the cancer is found in the lymph node regions both above and below your diaphragm. It can also indicate that
• the cancer was found in a lymph node area and in an organ on opposite sides of your diaphragm.
• Stage IV (generalized disease) means the cancer has been found outside your lymph nodes and has spread to other parts of your body, such as your bone marrow , liver, or lung.

How Hodgkin’s Disease is Treated:  Treatment for hodgkin’s lymphoma usually depends on the stage of the disease. The main treatment options are chemotherapy and radiation. Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams of radiation to destroy cancer cells.

Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs that can kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be given orally or injected through a vein, depending on the specific medication.

Radiation therapy alone may be sufficient to treat early stage NLPHD. If you have NLPHD, you may only need radiation, as the condition tends to spread more slowly than classic Hodgkin’s lymphoma . In advanced stages, specific therapeutic drugs may be added to your chemotherapy regimen.

A stem cell transplant may also be used if you don’t respond to chemotherapy or radiation. A stem cell transplant infuses healthy cells called stem cells into your body to replace cancer cells in your bone marrow .

After treatment, your doctor will want to follow up with you regularly. Be sure to keep all medical appointments and follow your doctor’s instructions.