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Hodgkin's Disease
 
What is Hodgkin's disease?
Hodgkin's disease is a kind of lymphoma, an uncommon cancer that starts in the lymph system. The lymph system includes the lymph nodes, lymph vessels, and other parts of the body's immune and blood-forming systems, such as the spleen and bone marrow. The lymph system makes, stores, and carries infection-fighting white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymph nodes and lymph vessels are located throughout the body.

Hodgkin's disease, also called Hodgkin's lymphoma, is one of the most curable cancers.

How does it occur?
For reasons that are not known, when you have Hodgkin's disease your body makes too many abnormal lymphocytes. These cancer cells crowd into the lymph nodes and may also invade other parts of the body. Tumors may then grow and interfere with normal body functions.

Hodgkin's disease can occur in children or adults. Risk factors for adult Hodgkin's disease are:
  • being in young or late adulthood
  • being male
  • being infected with the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis (also called mono)
  • having a first-degree relative (parent, brother, or sister) with Hodgkin's lymphoma
  • having acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of Hodgkin's disease are:
  • painless swelling of lymph nodes, in the neck, armpits, or groin
  • fever
  • night sweats
  • unexplained weight loss
  • itching
  • tiredness.

How is it diagnosed?
Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and examine you. A sample of tissue will be taken from a swollen lymph node and examined under a microscope. This removal of a sample of tissue is called a biopsy. If you have Hodgkin's disease, unusual cells called Reed-Sternberg cells will be found in the tissue.

If Hodgkin's disease is found, more tests will be done to learn the stage or the extent of the disease. These tests may include:
  • blood tests
  • chest x-rays
  • CT scans of the chest and abdomen
  • biopsy of your bone marrow to see if the disease has spread there.

What is the treatment?
The diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease is classified into stages, depending on the areas of lymph nodes and other organs affected. There are several types of Hodgkin's disease. Treatment will depend on the type and stage of disease, as well as your general health.

Radiation therapy or anticancer drugs (chemotherapy) will be used to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. If Hodgkin's is not cured initially with chemotherapy, stem cells (immature blood cells) may be transplanted from your blood or bone marrow or from a donor's blood or marrow.

You may be prone to serious infections during and after your treatment.

How long will the effects last?
Hodgkin's disease can be cured in many cases. When treatment begins in the early stages, radiation therapy can cure 80 to 90% of people. When the disease is found in a later stage, a combination of radiation and chemotherapy has about a 40% chance of cure.

How can I take care of myself?
  • Follow the full course of treatment your health care provider prescribes.
  • If you have a fever above 100°F (37.8°C), call your provider and stay in bed. After your temperature has fallen below 100°F (37.8°C), become as active as you comfortably can. Ask your provider if you can take aspirin or acetaminophen to control your fever.
  • Learn about side effects you may have from radiation or chemotherapy. It helps to be prepared for severe or distressing side effects, such as baldness, nausea, or vomiting. Your hair will grow back when therapy stops.
  • Consider joining a cancer support group during your illness and recovery.
  • Do not try unproven cancer treatments.




Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File CNC3524F.HTM Release 9.0/2006. Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subdiaries. All Rights Reserved.


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