Hodgkin’s disease-A cancer of lymphocytes.
Hodgkin’s lymphoma also called as Hodgkin’s disease is a cancer of lymph tissue found in spleen,lymphnodes,liver bone marrow and other sites.Hodgkin’s lymphoma begans when a lymphocyte becomes abnormal.This abnormal cell divides unchecked and produces many copies of itself leading to formation of unregulated mass of abnormal cells.This mass is called as tumor.
As the lymphatic tissue is found everywhere in the body,there is no specific site of the tumor.
The disease occurrence shows two peaks one during early childhood and the other after the age of 55.
The survival rate of the patient with Hodgkin’s disease varies by age.In patients aged 15-49 five year relative survival rates were 87% in men and 92% in women,compared to 27% and 32% respectively in those over 70 years.Hodgkin’s disease survival rate tends to be a little better in women than men.
The exact causes of Hodgkin’s disease are not known however several factors have been associated with increased risk of developing lymphoma.These risk factors include advancing age,infections with HIV,EBV,H.pylori and hepatitis B and C,all the medical conditions that compromises the immune system,exposure to toxic chemicals like herbicides,fungicides and benzene.The use of hair dyes have been linked with increase risk of Hodgkin’s disease.Genetic predisposition also has a role in developing lymphoma.
Most often the first sign of lymphoma is painless swelling in neck,under the arm or in the groin.The lymph node may be enlarges at any other site of the body.The enlarged lymphnode can cause other symptoms like swellind due to pressure on vein or numbness due to pressure on nerve.The spleen is enlarged.The symptoms of Hodgkin’s disease include fever,chills,unexplained weight loss,night sweats,lack of energy and itching.Most of the symptoms are non-specific and can occur in number of other conditions unrelated to cancer.
The treatment includes radiotherapy and chemotherapy depending upon the stage of cancer.
