Adult Hodgkin Lymphoma

Adult Hodgkin Lymphoma at a Glance

• Hodgkin's lymphoma is a cancer of lymph tissue. It initially appears as an enlarged lymph node but without a known cause.
• The disease may spread to the nearby lymph nodes and later to the spleen, liver, bone marrow, or other organs.
• Estimated new cases and deaths from Hodgkin lymphoma in the United States in 2010 are 8,490 and 1,320 respectively.
• More than 75% of all newly diagnosed patients with adult Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) can be cured with combination chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
• National mortality has fallen more rapidly for adult HL than for any other malignancy over the last 5 decades.

Anatomy

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 lymph and store white blood cells that 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 makes 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 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 two general types: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphoma can occur in both adults and children; however, treatment for adults may be different than treatment for children. Hodgkin lymphoma may also occur in patients who have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); these patients require special treatment.

Types of Hodgkin Lymphoma

There are two main types of Hodgkin lymphoma: classical and nodular lymphocyte-predominant.

Most Hodgkin lymphomas are the classical type. The classical type is broken down into the following four subtypes:

• Nodular sclerosing Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Lymphocyte depletion Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Lymphocyte-rich classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

Risk Factors

Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Risk factors for adult Hodgkin 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 lymphoma.

Pregnancy is not a risk factor for Hodgkin lymphoma.

Symptoms

Possible signs of adult Hodgkin lymphoma include:

• 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.