All About Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Posted on March 10, 2008

Hodgkin抯 lymphoma or Hodgkin抯 disease is a rare for of cancer which is characterized by orderly growth of malignant cells of the lymphatic system. Described for the first time by Thomas Hodgkin in 1832, this disease primarily affects the lymph nodes and later spreads to other parts of the lymphatic system.

The most significant characteristic of Hodgkin抯 lymphoma is presence of malignant B-cells with unique characteristics. These cells are called as Reed-Sternberg cells. Hodgkin抯 lymphoma mainly occurs in individuals with depleted immune system and persons infected with viruses including HIV, Epstein-Barr virus and HTLV-I. Epidemiology of this disease is unique. The frequency of Hodgkin抯 lymphoma is predominant in two separate age groups. These include individuals between 15-35 years of age and individuals above 55 years of age.

Hodgkin抯 lymphoma is primarily classified into classical Hodgkin抯 lymphoma (CHL), nodular sclerosis (NS), lymphocyte predominance (LP), mixed cellularity (MC), Lymphocyte depleted (LD) and nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin抯 lymphoma (NLPHL) depending on the Reed-Sternberg cell morphology. The most common symptom of Hodgkin抯 disease is swelling in the lymph nodes of the neck and chest. Other noticeable symptoms include enlarged spleen, swollen liver, fever, excessive sweating, fatigue, abnormal weight loss and itchy skin. The disease could be medically diagnosed through microscopical examination of Reed-Sternberg cells during biopsy. Other diagnostic methods include physical examination, chest X-rays, blood cell counts, and CT scan and MRI scan of the lymphatic system, PET scanning, gallium scanning and bone marrow aspiration.

Hodgkin抯 lymphoma is one of the first cancers to have been cured using radiation therapy. Other therapeutic approaches include chemotherapy, bone marrow and peripheral blood transplantation and immunotherapy. The common chemotherapeutic regimens followed for the treatment of Hodgkin抯 lymphoma include ABVD (Adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarabzine), BEACOPP (bleomycin, etoposide, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone), COPP/ABVD, MOPP (mechlorethamine, oncovin, procarbazine, prednisone) and Stanford V.

Check Out More Articles:

Lymphoma Misdiagnosis Story, Good Clinical Practice Job Opportunity, Colorectal Cancer Treatment Modalities,

Article Author :Pauline_Go

Last 6 posts in Leukemia Lymphoma Cancer

Why Natural Breast Cancer Treatment is Best For Your Body

There is currently a raging debate about whether conventional or natural treatments are best for fighting your breast cancer.?Those on the conventional side will say that cancer cannot be cured, only managed, and that natural treatments have not been backed up scientifically.?Those on the natural side will say that conventional treatments are barbaric and usually do more harm than good.

I am a proponent of the natural way of doing things.?I believe that your body has developed breast cancer because of imbalances internally and if you can correct those imbalances, you can eliminate the cancer entirely.?Cutting off body parts and pumping… Continue reading

Breast Cancer Symptoms - What Are They and How Can I Get Rid of Them?

I imagine just about every woman after a certain age has some fear of breast cancer.?That’s not to say it’s on our minds night and day.?But with all we hear in the media and from doctors, it certainly has to be in there somewhere.?We all know someone who has it, has had it, or maybe has even died from it.?But as with all things like this, breast cancer starts with symptoms.?Here’s what to look for if you’re concerned and what to do to fix it if you find anything:

Lumps - Everyone knows this one.?Any odd shaped, irregular lumps in your… Continue reading

The Best Way to Help Someone With Breast Cancer

I’m sure most, if not all of us have had someone close to us diagnosed with breast cancer. Many of us have watched that person go through round after round of chemotherapy. Many of us have watched as their bodies were forever surgically altered. Many of us have watched them lose their battle and pass away. Whatever your experience may be, one thing is certain. Trying to find the right way to help someone with breast cancer can be tough.

I’ll fully admit that there are no right or wrong answers here. It will largely… Continue reading

Tags: , , , ,

Related posts

» Filed Under Leukemia Lymphoma Cancer

Comments

Leave a Reply