Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Hodgkin's disease is a type of cancer called a lymphoma. This cancer affects the lymphoid system, which includes lymph glands, small vessels called lymphatics, and an organ called the spleen. The lymphoid system is part of the body's immune or defence mechanism.

About 3 people in every 100,000 get Hodgkin's Lympgoma.It is more common between the ages of 20 and 30, and 55 and 70. Men are more commonly affected than women.

Symptoms
Painless swelling of the lymph glands in the neck, armpits and groin. Lethargy and fatigue. Night sweats. Fever.Weight loss and loss of appetite. Marked itching.

Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made after a full physical examination, chest X ray, blood and urine tests, and finally, lymph node biopsy. This involves taking a sample of tissue from one of the swollen glands and examining it under the microscope.

As the disease spreads, the glands enlarge and involve other organs, especially the lungs, liver, bone, spleen and bone marrow.

Following diagnosis, further tests will be done to find out how advanced the tumour is, and how best to treat it. This testing is called `staging' the tumour, and may involve bone marrow biopsies, and special scanning of the chest and abdomen to see exactly how the internal lymph glands have enlarged.

Years ago this disease was almost always fatal, but thanks to modern treatments, if caught early and treated properly, as many as 90% of cases of Hodgkin's Lymphoma can now be completely cured.

When the disease is limited to just a few lymph glands, radiation therapy is the main treatment. It is sometimes combined with anti-cancer drugs (chemotherapy).

In more advanced cases, chemotherapy is the first treatment of choice, and involves using combinations of different anti-cancer drugs, given intermittently over a period of six to eight months in specialist treatment centres.

Further information can be found at CancerHelp UK http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk
IMPORTANT NOTICE : This content is from the Dr Chris Steele personal archive and is provided for convenience only. Information contained here may no longer agree with the most up to date medical advice. Please check with a medical professional before taking any action.

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