Hodgkin Lymphoma (Hodgkin's Disease) Information

Hodgkin lymphoma is also known as Hodgkin's disease. Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph system. Lymphoma occurs when white blood cells in the lymph system undergo a change which cause them to grow and eventually these cells may form a tumor.

We have provided you with a short video that chronicles the story of a remarkable woman that was diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease. She wasn't able to find any visuals on what Hodgkin lymphoma does to you and the effects the treatment can have on your body. So, she started a photo project to document her 13 months of treatment and has shared her story with the world.

Hodgkin lymphoma has features that differentiate it from other types of lymphomas. One main characteristic is the presence of large, malignant cells called Reed-Sternberg cells. These cells are found in the Hodgkin lymphoma tissues.

In most cases, Hodgkin lymphoma affects the lymph nodes. The lymph nodes that are usually first affected are located in the neck, between the lungs, and behind the breastbone. Hodgkin lymphoma can also start in the lymph nodes in the groin, abdomen, pelvis, or under the arms.

If Hodgkin lymphoma does spread, it typically moves into the spleen, bone, bone marrow, and liver. Hodkins lymphoma can spread to other parts of the body, but that is not common.

Different Types of Hodgkin Lymphoma - There are several different kinds of Hodgkin lymphoma and the type can be determine by how the cells in a tissue look under a microscope. It is important to know the type of Hodgkin lymphoma because that will determine the type of treatment.

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) is diagnoses when the Reed-Sternberg cells are found. There are four different subtypes of CHL. These include:

Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma is the most common subtype of CHL (about 80% of the people diagnosed with CHL). This subtype is most common in young adults, primarily women. Reed-Sternberg cells are present and there are bands of connective tissue in the lymph node.

Lymphocyte rich classical Hodgkin lymphoma is more common in men and usually affects areas of the body other than the chest. The tissue contains some Reed-Sternberg cells, but also many normal lymphocytes.

Lymphocyte depleted Hodgkin lymphoma is the least common subtype of CHL, only affecting about 1% of the CHL patients. It is most commonly found in older adults, people in non-industrial countries, and people with immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The lymph nodes are almost entirely made up of Reed-Sternberg cells.

Mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma - This type of CHL usually occurs in older adults and is located primarily in the abdomen. Along with Reed-Sternber cells, there are many different cell types that are present.

Nodular lymphocyte predominat Hodgkin lymphoma is not part of the CHL type. Approximately 5% of the people with Hodgkin lymphoma have nodular predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. This particular lymphoma is typically found in the lymph nodes of the neck and in younger people. This type is actually very similar to B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Hodgkin Lymphoma Risk Factors

Doctors don't know what causes most cases of Hodgkin lymphoma. A majority of the cases occur in people that do not have any identifiable risk factors. There are however a few risk factors that are associated with Hodgkin lymphoma.

People infected with human T-cell lymphocytotropic virus (HTLV) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have an increased probablility of developing Hodgkin lymphoma.

A history of confirmed infectious mononucleosis gives an increased risk of developing young-adult Hodgkin lymphoma.

As with other cancers, there are cases of clustering within families. There is an increase of incidence of Hodgkin lymphoma in siblings of patients with the disease.

Incidence of Hodgkin lymphoma

During 2009, it was estimated that around 8,600 people in the United States would be diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphoma affects both adults and children.

Due to improvements in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma, the mortality rate has decreased greatly over the past 25 years. Although the incidence rate for whites has declined slightly during this period, the rates for African Americans have increased.

Lymphoma Information

Types of Lymphoma

     Hodgkin Lymphoma

     Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Lymphoma Symptoms and Risk Factors

Lymphoma Diagnosis, Treatment, and Research