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Hodgkin Lymphoma

Adult Hodgkin's Lymphoma is a malignant (cancerous) growth of cells in the lymph system. Adult Hodgkin's Lymphoma is the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells in the cancerous area. Hodgkin's can occur in children and adults, it is more common in two age groups, early adulthood, ages 15 through 40, usually around 25 through 30, and late adulthood after 55. This lymphoma is rare in children under the age of 5. The diagnosis and treatment of Hodgkin's has improved remarkably in recent years. Hodgkin's now has a high survival rate. There are numerous symptoms for Adult Hodgkin's disease, not necessarily all specific. In the majority of cases, a lymph node will swell, especially in the upper body. At other times, a person may feel as though they have lack of energy. Other symptoms may include weight loss, fever and drenching night sweats. There may also be lower back pain because of growing lymph nodes pressing on nerves. Adult Hodgkin's is medically diagnosed by taking a tissue sample, biopsy and searching for the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells.
[Lymphoma Information Network]

Childhood Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Childhood Hodgkin's Lymphoma is rare in children under five years of age and in children under the age of 10, it is more common in boys than girls. About 10% to 15% of all cases of Hodgkin's are diagnosed in children 16 and under. Brothers and sisters of patients have a slightly higher risk of developing Hodgkin's as do children of a Hodgkin's parent, although it is very rare.

Tests a Healthcare Provider Can Do to Diagnose Adult Hodgkin's

1. Physical exam, including examination of the lymph nodes,
2. collecting a medical history and a history of the symptoms,
3. a complete blood work up including checks for abnormal blood cell count number of white and red blood cells, blood chemistry, and abnormal erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR])
4. a chest x-ray to view lymph nodes and to detect whether there's involvement of other organs
5. a computerized tomography (CT scan or CAT scan or MRI [magnetic resonance imaging]) of chest, pelvis and abdomen to determine possible spread of the disease,
6. a position emission topography, which is a PET scan to pinpoint hot spots of cellular activity,
7. a gallium scan, to check for radioactive intakes of gallium in the lymph system, which indicates swelling and ultimately disease, and
8. a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy to determine if the bone marrow has been affected by Adult Hodgkin's.

Types of Adult Hodgkin's Lymphoma

1. Nodular sclerosis (NS) - The lymph nodes in the lower neck, chest and collarbone usually contain normal and reactive lymphocytes and Reed-Sternberg cells, separated by bands of scar-like tissue and accounts for 60 to 70% of Adult Hodgkin's cases.
2. Lymphocyte Predominance (LP) - The lymph nodes are composed largely of reactive lymphocytes and malignment L&H cells which have a core of “popcorn” appearance and very few Reed-Sternberg cells. LP accounts for 5% of Adult Hodgkin's cases and affects more men than women with modular cellularity (MC). The lymph nodes usually contain Reed-Sternberg cells and inflammatory cells. (MC) accounts for 20 to 30% of Hodgkin's cases.
3. Lymphocyte Depleted (LD) - Two different variations of this classification, one with sheets of different malignant cells, the other with few Reed-Sternberg cells and lymphocytes with scar-like tissue accounts for 5% of Adult Hodgkin's cases.
4. Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant (NLP) - NLP is a category of its own. Typical Reed-Sternberg cells are rare to nonexistent. Instead variance called L&H cells “popcorn cells” are seen.

Adult Hodgkin's Lymphoma - Treatment

1. Radiation therapy: using high dose x-rays or other high energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy is given to the neck, chest and lymph nodes under the arms. Radiation therapy can also be administered to the lymph nodes in the upper abdomen, the spleen, and the pelvis. Radiation therapy may be used alone or in addition to chemotherapy. Radiation has been used in early stage disease and in later stages directed at areas where there are large tumors.
   
2. Chemotherapy: using drugs to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
   
3. Bone Marrow and Peripheral Blood Transplants (BMT): transplants (actually high dose chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with a “rescue” of the immune system) are being used for certain patients especially with recurrent disease. Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) and Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation (PBSCT) are the use of high doses of chemotherapy with a rescue of the immune system afterwards.

[Lymphoma Information Network]
The authors of this website are not medical professionals, nor do they warrant the correctness of the materials on this page, or the cites linked. Please consult your own medical team to make informed decisions regarding any potential cancerous conditions.

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