What is Hodgkin's disease?
Hodgkin's disease: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and risk
The disease of Hodgkin's disease (HD) is a type of lymphoma, which is a blood cancer that begins in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system helps the immune system to get rid of waste and to fight off infections. The HD is also called Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's lymphoma.
HD comes from white blood cells that help protect you from germs and infections. These white blood cells are called lymphocytes. People with Huntington's disease, these cells grow abnormally and spread beyond the lymph system. As the disease progresses, it becomes more difficult for your body to fight infections.
HD can be either classic Hodgkin's disease, nodular Lymphoma Lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin (NLPHL). The type of HD is based on the types of cells involved in your condition and behavior.
The main cause of HD is not known. The disease has been linked to mutations of the DNA, or changes, as well as the virus of Epstein - Barr (EBV), which causes Mononucleosis. HD can occur at any age, but it most often affects people from 15 to 40 years and people over 55 years old.
SYMPTOMS
What are the symptoms of Hodgkin's disease?
The most common symptom of HD is swelling of the lymph nodes, which causes the formation of a mass under the skin. This bump is usually not painful. It can form in one or more of the following areas:
on the side of the neck
armpit
all about the elder
Other symptoms of HD include:
night sweats
the skin scratching
fever
fatigue
unintentional weight loss
persistent cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain
pain in the lymph nodes after alcohol consumption
spleen bloated
Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. They can be signs of other conditions, and it is important to get an accurate diagnosis.
DIAGNOSIS
How is Hodgkin's disease diagnosed?
To diagnose the HD, your doctor will perform a physical examination and ask questions about your medical history. Your doctor will also prescribe certain tests so that they can make a proper diagnosis. The following tests may be done:
Imaging tests, such as x-rays or the CT
biopsy of the lymph node, which consists of removing a piece of ganglionic tissue to test for the presence of abnormal cells
blood tests, like a blood count complete (CBC), to measure the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets
immunophenotyping to determine the type of lymphoma that are present cells
tests of lung function to determine the functioning of your lungs
an Echocardiogram to determine how your heart works
bone marrow biopsy, which involves the removal and examination of the bone marrow inside bones to see if the cancer has spread
Staging
Once a diagnosis of HD has been made, the cancer is assigned a stage. Staging describes the extent and severity of the disease. This will help your doctor determine your treatment options and your prospects.
There are four general steps in HD:
Step 1 (early stage) means that cancer is found in one lymph node region, or cancer is found in one area of a single body.
Step 2 (locally advanced disease) means that cancer is found in two regions of the lymph nodes located on one side of the diaphragm, or the muscle located under the lung or cancer in a region of lymph nodes and in a nearby organ.
Step 3 (advanced disease) means that cancer is found in lymph node regions above and below your diaphragm or that cancer has been found in a ganglion area and a body on opposite sides of your diaphragm.
Step 4 (widespread disease) means that the cancer was discovered outside the lymph nodes and it is widely spread to other parts of the body, like bone marrow, liver, or lungs.
TREATMENT
How is Hodgkin's disease treated?
HD treatment generally depends on the stage of the disease. The main treatment options are chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Radiotherapy using beams of high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs that can kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be administered orally or injected into a vein, depending on the specific drug.
Radiotherapy alone may be sufficient to treat the early NLPHL. If you NLPHL, you can only need to radiation since the condition tends to spread more slowly than the classic HD. At advanced stages, targeted therapeutic drugs can be added to your chemotherapy regimen.
Immunotherapy or a transplant of stem cells can also be used if you do not respond to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. A stem cell transplant infuses healthy cells called stem cells in your body to replace the cells in your bone marrow.
After treatment, your doctor will want to follow you regularly. Make sure you keep all your medical appointments and follow your doctor's instructions.
RISKS
Risks of treatment of Hodgkin's disease
Treatments for HD can have long-term side effects and can increase your risk of developing other serious medical conditions. HD treatments can increase your risk of:
second cancers
infertility
infections
thyroid problems
lung damage
You should undergo regular mammograms and screenings for heart disease, follow the vaccinations and avoid smoking.
It is also important to attend regular follow-up appointments with your doctor. Be sure to tell them about the concerns you may have about the long-term side effects and what you can do to help reduce the risk.
PERSPECTIVE
Long-term prospects for people with Hodgkin's disease
Progress in the treatment of HD over the past decades have increased substantially the survival rate. According to the American Cancer Society, the relative survival rates for all people diagnosed with HD are:
The five-year survival rate is about 86%.
The 10-year survival rate is 80%.
The survival rate at five years for the different steps are:
Step 1 HD is about 90%.
Step 2 HD is about 90%.
Step 3 HD is about 80%.
Step 4 HD is about 65 percent.
These rates may vary depending on the stage of the disease and the age of the individual.
Dealing with a diagnosis of HD can be difficult. Support groups and counseling can help you manage your anxiety and provide you with a safe place to discuss concerns and feelings about your experience. The National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society also provide resources for people who have recently been diagnosed HD.
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