Lymphoma is the most common form of all blood cancers; it occurs when a person’s white blood cells begin behaving abnormally and can be categorized into two types: Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s. The signs and symptoms for both types are the same, and people present with flu or cold-like symptoms.
Out of the two types of lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin’s disease, is the most uncommon. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 8,500 new cases of the disease are projected each year. Though it is possible for the cancer to develop in both kids and adults, it is more commonly diagnosed in teens and adults ages 15-35 and in older adults over the age of 50.
Hodgkin’s lymphoma develops in the cells of the immune system, and it is characterized by the presence of giant, mutated cells, known as Reed-Sternberg cells. It usually starts in the lymph nodes, but it can also spread to other organs. Essentially, this disease is diagnosed when the white blood cells transform and become abnormal within the lymphatic system (which includes lymph nodes/vessels, spleen, tonsils and thymus).
The disease can be divided into two main categories, classical and lymphocyte predominant. Over 95% of cases of Hodgkin’s lymphoma are in the classical category, and the type a person develops may affect treatment choices. The characteristics of each subset are similar, though the type a person develops is dependent on their age and gender. There are four stages of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The first stage involves a single lymph node region; stage two involves two or more lymph node regions on the same side of the diaphragm; stage three involves lymph node regions on both sides of the diaphragm; and stage four is dispersed involvement of one or more of the organs, such as the spleen.
Doctors rarely know why someone develops this disease, but there are certain risk factors that increase a person’s chance of acquiring Hodgkin’s lymphoma: 1. Certain viruses, such as Epstein-Barr and HIV, may increase the risk of developing Hodgkin’s lymphoma, 2. Weakened immune system from an inherited condition, certain drugs, or after an organ transplant; and 3. Family history where a person related to you has had lymphoma. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is not contagious nor does having one or more of the risk factors mean you will develop the disease.
Doctors choose the type of treatment a patient goes through depending on the type of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the stage of the disease, and the person’s age. Chemotherapy is the frontline treatment, usually followed by radiation therapy. However, bone marrow transplants are a vital and necessary treatment if chemo and radiation fail to work or if the patient does not respond as well as the doctor hopes. If the disease progresses to a more severe stage, a bone marrow transplant is the best option; it increases a person’s chance of living and has helped cure many patients of Hodgkin’s lymphoma over the years.
Like with most diseases, there are new cures and treatments being studied every year. Hodgkin’s lymphoma has been studied more than any other type of lymphoma, and there has been rapid progression in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. As a result of the aggressive study of this type of cancer, there is a survival rate of over 80%. Patients who have been diagnosed with lymphoma are not alone. There are support and networking groups that will be with the patient every step of the way, from diagnosis to recovery. For more information on lymphoma and support groups, visit lymphoma.org