Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancer

CancerGuru Types of Cancer Hodgkin Lymphoma

Overview

Hodgkin's lymphoma, known in layman's terms as Hodgkin's disease, is a blood cancer found in the lymphatic system, a part of the immune system. It mainly affects B lymphocytes or B-cells, a special type of white blood cell which helps the body fight infections. The disease begins when B-cells mutate and grow to form their own tumours and start proliferating on lymph nodes—in often popular locations, such as the neck, chest, armpits—or groin.

Hodgkin's lymphoma, also one of the two principal manifestations of lymphoma, as opposed to non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Despite possible frightening vocabulary, diagnosing it with lymphoma does not mean instant death—there have been great strides in treatment, making it one of the easier types of cancers to cure, especially if detected early. With treatment, many therefore live long and fulfilling lives. In a minority of cases, however, the disease recurs; research studies, therefore, seek improved methods for managing and treating such recurrences.

Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancer: Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Types of Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancer

Hodgkin lymphoma can be divided into two main types on which the cancer looks under a microscope and how it behaves. This classification helps in a better treatment planned by the doctors.

1. Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (CHL)

Approx. 95% of all cases fall into this most common type. Reed-Sternberg cells (i.e., large abnormal lymphocytes) differentiate it.

There are four subtypes of CHL:

Nodular Sclerosis CHL: The typical subtype, often found in young adults. And that tends to begin in the neck or chest lymph nodes.
Mixed Cellularity CHL: Occurs in older adults or patients with HIV. It has a predilection for abdominal lymph nodes.
Lymphocyte-Rich CHL: Less common subtype indicates a favorable prognosis and possesses a number of healthy lymphocytes while possessing fewer Reed-Sternberg cells.
Lymphocyte-Depleted CHL: The rarest and most aggressive form. It typically occurs in older adults or those who are immuno-compromised.

2. Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma (NLPHL)

The rarest and most aggressive form. Almost invariably, it belongs to older adults or individuals who are immunocompromised.

This type of nonspecific variant accounts for only about 5 percent in cases of Hodgkin lymphoma. In fact, the outcome of a patient is slower compared to the classical counterpart, but there is the involvement of other abnormal cells known as popcorn cells which is a variant of the Reed-Sternberg type.

However, it usually presents with lymphadenopathy in the neck, axillae, or groin.

Its behavior may rather be regarded as predominantly that of a non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but it does have the capacity in some patients to undergo transformation into a much more aggressive type.

Risk Factors

The major risk factors of Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancer are:

Your age: Most of the highest incidents of Hodgkin lymphoma appear among those in the ages of 20 and 30. However, age over 65 carries a much higher risk.
Family history, Hodgkin lymphoma: The risk increases if a blood relative already has Hodgkin lymphoma.
Being male: Those assigned male at birth are slightly more likely to develop Hodgkin lymphoma than those assigned female.
Past Epstein-Barr infection: Past conditions such as infectious mononucleosis caused by the Epstein-Barr virus increase the likelihood of developing the disease.
HIV-infected people: People infected with HIV are more likely to develop Hodgkin lymphoma than those without such infections.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma may include:

Feeling very tired.
Fever.
Itchy skin.

Night sweats.
Painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin.
Weight loss that happens without trying.

Causes

Hodgkin lymphomas form when your B cells develop genetic changes. These changes are acquired during your lifetime instead of being inherited.

When B cells mutate, they create larger than normal, cancerous cells called abnormal Reed-Sternberg cells. These produce cytokines that attract ordinary cells into involved lymph nodes, causing swelling.

The cancer can spread through your lymphatic system to other lymph organs like the thymus and spleen. It can reach lymph tissue throughout your body and, rarely, involve other organs like the lungs, liver, and bone marrow.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of this disease takes a little longer before reaching conclusions about its extent:

Physical Examination

Has swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarms, or groin. A doctor may detect enlarged organs like the spleen or liver.

Blood Tests

Assess overall health and detect signs of infections or organ function problems.

Lymph Node Biopsy

A tissue sample from a swollen lymph node is examined microscopically for Reed-Sternberg cells, key to diagnosis.

Imaging Tests

CT, PET scans, or X-rays show the location and size of the cancer. These are staging tests for treatment planning.

Bone Marrow Biopsy

Done to determine whether lymphoma has spread to the bone marrow.

Treatments

Treatments for Hodgkin Lymphoma take into account the type and stage of the disease, together with the age of the individual and his overall health. Some common treatments include:

Chemotherapy

The primary mode of treatment uses drugs to destroy the cancer cells throughout the body. It is usually administered in cycles over a number of months.

Radiation Therapy

Treatment with high-energy rays kills cancer cells in limited areas. May follow a course of chemotherapy when the cancer is found in a localized area.

Targeted Therapy

Drugs such as brentuximab vedotin target specific proteins on lymphoma cells. Used in select cases when other treatments have not succeeded.

Immunotherapy

Helps the immune system identify and destroy cancer cells. Medications like nivolumab or pembrolizumab may be used for relapsed or resistant Hodgkin lymphoma.

Stem Cell Transplantation Treatment Image

Stem Cell Transplantation (in some cases)

Used when the disease relapses after treatment. Involves replacing damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells after high-dose chemotherapy.

Side Effects of Treatment

When treating Hodgkin lymphoma, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of both may be utilized. Although these therapies are usually highly effective, they can also produce side effects, which may include:

Fatigue: Commonly very much prolonged after therapy.
Nausea and vomiting: Medications are generally helpful.
Loss of hair: Temporary; regrowth usually occurs.
Enhanced risk of infections: With reduced white blood cell counts.
Infertility: Some treatments can interfere with reproductive health.
Secondary cancer: Very rarely, the treatment can heighten the risk of getting another cancer later in life.
Heart and lung problems: This is especially true in cases where radiation targets those areas.

Doctors work closely with patients to address any such effects and modify their treatment if needed.

Support

Hodgkin lymphoma is a tough challenge emotionally and has a lot of physical interventions, while out there are the following resources:

Medical supportive team

An oncologist, nurse, and other specialists guide care and answer questions.

Counselling and mental health care

For coping with anxiety, depression and stress due to diagnosis and treatment.

Support groups

For in-person and online, bringing together people through shared experiences and encouragement.

Nutrition and physical activity guideline

Helping a person to maintain strength and well-being during treatment.

Financial and practical assistance

Some organizations help with travel, medication costs, or accommodation while undergoing treatment.

Prevention

Unfortunately, there is no sure way of preventing Hodgkin lymphoma; the causation is not fully understood. However, some preventive measures might make people less likely to develop the disease.

Is currently tied to some kinds of Hodgkin's lymphoma.

One might advise an immune system immunity that is alimentarily oriented and continues to enhance or manage chronic infections.

Especially repeated or high-dose exposure.

Rare, such checkups might prove beneficial for persons with a positive family history.

Questions to Ask your Healthcare Provider about Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancer

Q1. Do I have Cancer of Hodgkin's Type?
Q2. Which Kind of Hodgkin's Cancer Do I Have?
Q3. What's the Stage of My Cancer?
Q4. Is My Condition Fast Growing or Slow Growing?
Q5. Will I Need to Undergo Further Examination?
Q6. Will I Need Therapy?
Q7. Treatment Options Available to Me?
Q8. What are the Possible Side Effects for Each Treatment?

Questions to Ask about Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancer