Hodgkin’s Disease
• Definition
· Hodgkin’s Disease is a type of cancer of B lymphocytes that usually reside in the lymph nodes of the neck but may occur in other superficial lymph nodes.
• Overview
· Hodgkin’s Disease is uncommon, affecting less than 8000 people per year in the United States.
· Hodgkin’s Disease may result from an infection with Epstein Barr Virus (the virus that causes Infectious Mononucleosis) or other undiagnosed infection.
• Types
· Hodgkin’s Disease is divided into different types based on the characteristics of the lymphocyte cell
· Hodgkin’s Disease types include
Lymphocyte depletion
Lymphocyte predominance
Mixed cellularity
Nodular sclerosis
• Symptoms
· Hodgkin’s Disease symptoms include
Swollen and painless lymph node in the neck
Unexplained fever, night sweats or weight loss
Discomfort in the affected lymph node after drinking alcohol
Diffuse itching
• Treatment
Chemotherapy medications
References
Hodgkin’s disease. Br J Cancer. 2001;84(Suppl 2):55. [PMID: 11355971]
Posted on September 24, 2008
