Adult Hodgkin's Lymphoma
General Information About Adult Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Adult Hodgkin's lymphoma is a disease in which malignant
(cancer) cells form in the lymph system.
Adult Hodgkin's lymphoma
is a type of cancer that develops in the
lymph system, part of the body's
immune system.
The lymph system is made up of the following:
- Lymph: Colorless,
watery fluid that travels through the lymph system and carries
white blood cells called
lymphocytes. Lymphocytes protect the
body against infections and the
growth of tumors.
- Lymph vessels: A network of thin tubes that collect lymph
from different parts of the body and return it to the bloodstream.
- Lymph nodes:
Small, bean-shaped structures that filter substances in lymph and help fight
infection and disease. Lymph nodes are located along the network of lymph vessels
found throughout the body. Clusters of lymph nodes are found in the underarm,
pelvis, neck,
abdomen, and
groin.
- Spleen: An organ
that produces lymphocytes, filters the blood, stores blood cells, and destroys
old blood cells. It is located on the left side of the abdomen near the
stomach.
- Thymus: An organ
in which lymphocytes grow and multiply. The thymus is in the chest behind the
breastbone.
- Tonsils: Two small
masses of lymph tissue at the
back of the throat. The tonsils produce lymphocytes.
- Bone marrow: The
soft, spongy tissue in the center of large bones. Bone marrow produces white
blood cells, red blood cells, and
platelets.
Because lymph tissue is found throughout the body, Hodgkin's
lymphoma can begin in almost any part of the body and spread to almost any
tissue or organ in the body.
Lymphomas are divided into 2 general types: Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. (Refer to the PDQ summary on Adult Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treatment for more information.)
Hodgkin's lymphoma can occur in both adults and children; however,
treatment for adults may be different than treatment for children. Hodgkin's lymphoma may also occur in patients who have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); these
patients require special treatment. Refer to
the following PDQ summaries for more information:
- Childhood Hodgkin's
Lymphoma Treatment
- AIDS-Related Lymphoma Treatment
There are 5 different types of Hodgkin's lymphoma. These 5 types are based on the way they look under a microscope.
- Nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- Mixed cellularity Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- Lymphocyte depletion Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- Lymphocyte-rich classical Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Age, gender, and Epstein-Barr infection can affect
the risk of developing adult Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Risk factors for adult
Hodgkin's lymphoma include the following:
- Being in young or late adulthood.
- Being male.
- Being infected with the Epstein-Barr
virus.
- Having a first-degree relative (parent, brother, or sister) with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Possible signs of adult Hodgkin's lymphoma include swollen lymph
nodes, fever, night sweats, and weight loss.
These and other symptoms may be caused by adult Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following
problems do not go away:
- Painless, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or
groin.
- Fever for no known reason.
- Drenching night sweats.
- Weight loss for no known reason.
- Itchy skin.
- Feeling very tired.
Tests that examine the lymph nodes are used to detect (find)
and diagnose adult Hodgkin's lymphoma.
The following tests and procedures may be used:
- Physical exam and history: An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient's past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.
- Complete blood count (CBC): A procedure in which a sample of blood is drawn and
checked for the following:
- The number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and
platelets.
- The amount of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen) in
the red blood cells.
- The portion of the sample made up of red blood
cells.
- Sedimentation rate: A procedure in which a sample of blood is drawn and checked for the rate at which the red blood cells settle to the bottom of the test tube.
- Blood chemistry studies: A procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by
organs and tissues in the body. An unusual (higher or lower than normal) amount of a substance can be a sign
of disease in the organ or tissue that produces it.
- Lymph node biopsy:
The removal of all or part of a lymph node. A pathologist views the tissue under a microscope to look for cancer cells. One of the following types of
biopsies may be done:
- Excisional
biopsy: The removal of an entire lymph node.
- Incisional
biopsy or core
biopsy: The removal of part of a lymph node.
- Needle biopsy
or fine-needle aspiration: The
removal of a sample of tissue from a lymph node with a needle.
- Immunophenotyping: A test in which the cells in a sample of blood or bone marrow are looked at under a microscope to find out if malignant lymphocytes (cancer) began from the B lymphocytes or the T lymphocytes.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance
of recovery) and treatment options.
The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following:
- The patient's symptoms.
- The stage of the cancer.
- The type of Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- Blood test results.
- The patient's age, gender, and general health.
- Whether the cancer is recurrent or progressive.
Adult Hodgkin's lymphoma can usually be cured if found and treated early.