Cancer Health Center
Understanding Hodgkin's Lymphoma -- the Basics
What Is Hodgkin's Lymphoma?
Hodgkin's lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin's disease, is a type of lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system is a network of nodes (knots of tissue) connected by vessels. Together they drain fluid and waste products from all the organs and structures of your body. The lymph nodes act as tiny filters, straining out invading organisms and cancerous cells. Organs that contain a lot of lymphatic tissue include the spleen, the thymus gland (in the chest behind the breastbone), the adenoids and tonsils, and the bone marrow.
Treatment Approach for Children and Adolescents with Hodgkin Lymphoma
In general, the use of combined chemotherapy and low-dose involved-field radiation therapy (LD-IFRT) broadens the spectrum of potential toxicities, while reducing the severity of individual drug-related or radiation-related toxicities. Current approaches use chemotherapy with or without LD-IFRT.[1] The volume of radiation and the intensity/duration of chemotherapy are determined by prognostic factors at presentation, including presence of constitutional symptoms, disease stage, and bulk. Devising...
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The lymphatic system also is involved in producing important white blood cells called lymphocytes that help protect you against various infectious invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. When the lymphatic system is fighting an active infection, you may notice that some of your lymph nodes and tissue in the area of the infection become swollen and tender. This is normal.
Lymphoma occurs when the lymph node cells or the lymphocytes begin to multiply uncontrollably, producing malignant cells that have the abnormal ability to invade other tissues throughout your body.
The two main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which are classified by certain unique characteristics of the cancer cells.
Hodgkin's disease is most common in two different age groups: young adults (ages 15 to 35) and older adults (over age 50). It is somewhat more common in males than females, and more common in caucasians than in African-Americans. Because of progress made in the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma, the American Cancer Society states that most people with this cancer will be cured with chemotherapy or a combination of chemotherapy with radiation.
What Causes Hodgkin's Lymphoma?
No one knows for sure why some people develop Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, scientists have noticed certain associations. For example, people whose first episode of mononucleosis due to infection with Epstein-Barr virus occurs after childhood have a greater likelihood of developing Hodgkin's lymphoma. It is also more common in patients with immune deficiencies such as congenital (present at birth) immune system deficiencies.
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