Hodgkin's Disease
What is it?
Hodgkin's disease is one of a group of cancers called
"lymphomas." Lymphoma refers to cancers that develop in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system consists of the tonsils, spleen, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. Lymph tissue is part of the body's immune system, which sends out white blood cells and antibodies to fight infection. In Hodgkin's disease, cells in the lymphatic system become abnormal. The disease usually begins in the lymph nodes, which are rounded masses of tissues found in areas such as the neck, chest, and armpits. The diseases spreads to the spleen, and then to the liver or lymph nodes bordering the heart's aorta. Hodgkin's disease is named for Dr. Thomas Hodgkin, who first described this cancer in
1832.
Who gets it?
Hodgkin's disease is a rare lymphoma that accounts for less than 1 percent of all cases of cancer in the United States. It usually affects young adults and people over the age of 55. It is the fourth most common cancer in kids ages 10 to 14, affecting boys and girls equally. If you have a brother or sister with Hodgkin's disease, you may have a higher-than-average chance of developing the disease. Those with the Epstein-Barr virus may also have an increased chance of getting Hodgkin's disease. You may have heard of mononucleosis, which is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. The Epstein-Barr virus causes an infection in the lymph nodes and other parts of the lymphatic system that may cause the cells to become cancerous at a later
time.
What causes it?
At this time, the cause or causes of Hodgkin's disease are not known. However, doctors do know that you cannot catch Hodgkin's disease from someone else; it is not
contagious.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of Hodgkin's disease may seem similar to the flu, with general achiness and swollen glands. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin are generally painless. Some children may be extremely tired, have unexplained recurring fevers, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, and itchy
skin.
How is it diagnosed?
The doctor will ask about your child's medical history and perform a thorough physical exam. He or she will check whether the lymph nodes in the child's neck, underarm, or groin are enlarged. The doctor may order blood tests and x-rays, CAT scans, or an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of the lymph nodes and spleen. The final diagnosis depends on a biopsy. Using a local anesthetic so your child feels no pain, a surgeon will remove a sample of a lymph node, which is examined under a microscope for cancer cells. The large, abnormal cells that are usually found with Hodgkin's disease are called
"Reed-Sternberg cells." Then, your doctor will determine how far the lymphoma has spread. This is called
"staging," and helps determine treatment. There are four stages of lymphoma. Stage one is the earliest type. The cancer is usually located in one small area of the body. In stage four, the cancer has spread throughout the
body.
What is the treatment?
Treatment for Hodgkin's disease depends upon the stage of the disease, the size of the enlarged lymph nodes, which symptoms are present, and your child's general health. Children have a particularly high rate of cure from the disease. The two most common treatments are radiation and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy uses very strong x-rays to kill the cancer cells. Radiation can make your child feel extremely tired and may cause nausea and vomiting. Chemotherapy involves doses of very strong medicines to kill the cancer cells. Chemotherapy also has side effects, including hair loss, nausea, vomiting, and extreme tiredness. Your doctor can prescribe medicine to counteract these side effects if your child cannot tolerate them. Children with Hodgkin's disease get infections very easily because the lymph system can't fight infections the way it normally can. This means that during treatment your child may need to avoid public places where he or she could be exposed to germs. Your doctor may also recommend vaccinations against the flu, pneumonia, and meningitis. When treatment is complete, your doctor will want to see your child on a regular basis to be sure the disease is gone. This will involve periodic blood tests, x-rays, and scans of the lymph
nodes.
Self-care tips
While there are no preventive measures for Hodgkin's disease, early diagnosis is important to a full recovery. Take your child to the doctor immediately if he or she appears to have any Hodgkin's-like symptoms.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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