Hodgkin lymphoma
Hodgkin lymphoma (also called Hodgkin’s disease) is a type of lymphoma, a disease of the lymphatic system.
There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Your doctor will not be able to tell the difference just by examining you as it is only detectable under the microscope. Hodgkin lymphoma is most commonly found in young people in their 20s.
The lymphatic system
The lymphatic system is part of the body’s defences against infection and disease. It runs throughout the body and is made up of vessels, organs and nodes. Organs that form part of the lymphatic system include bone marrow, tonsils and the spleen. Nodes are found in clusters in different parts of the body, but the major sites for nodes are the neck, armpits and groin.
The vessels of the lymphatic system carry lymph, a white liquid made up of white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes play an important role in helping to fight infections.
Causes of Hodgkin lymphoma
When a patient has Hodgkin lymphoma, the cells no longer divide and reproduce in the normal ordered way. Malignant cells divide rapidly before they are mature, increasing the number of immature cells in the bone marrow and causing them to spill over into the blood. A tumour or lump may form in one of the group of lymph nodes. Lymphoma cells can spread to lymph nodes in other parts of the body via the lymphatic system.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma may include the following:
- a painless swelling in your neck, groin or armpit
- fevers
- night sweats
- tiredness
- weight loss
- widespread itching
- pain in the affected lymph node after drinking even small amounts of alcohol.
The most common symptoms are high temperatures, sweating and weight loss. These are known as ‘B Symptoms’.
You may have experienced some or all of these symptoms, which may be why you went to your family doctor in the first place. Your doctor will carry out a full physical examination and ask you how you are feeling. The symptoms of lymphoma can be caused by other less serious complaints and your doctor will ask you to have several tests to confirm a diagnosis.