Hodgkin's Disease is a cancer of the lymphatic system. It can effect the lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped organs found underneath the skin in the neck, underarm, and groin. They are also found in many other places in the body such as inside the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. It may also effect the immune system organs, such as the spleen and the liver, the blood or the bone marrow.
This cancer afflicts approximately 7,400 people a year. These people usually fall into the age groups of 15-34 and 55+.
Types of Hodgkin's Disease
Hodgkin's Disease is identified by the cells. There are different classifications of Hodgkin's disease due to different subtypes. The varying subtypes may affect treatment plans.
- Nodular sclerosis (NS): The lymph nodes in the lower neck, chest and collarbone usually contain normal and reactive lymphocytes and Reed-Sternberg cells separated by bands of scar-like tissues. NS accounts for 60-70% of Hodgkin's cases. NS appears to account for the increase in Hodgkin's cases in recent years.
- Lymphocyte predominance (LP): The lymph nodes are composed largely of reactive lymphocytes and malignant L&H cells which have a "popcorn" appearance and very few Reed-Sternberg cells. LP accounts for 5% of Hodgkin's cases and affects more men than women.
- Mixed cellularity (MC): The lymph nodes usually contain Reed-Sternberg cells and inflammatory cells. MC accounts for 20-30% of Hodgkin's cases.
- Lymphocyte depleted (LD): There are two different variations of this classification: one with sheets of differing malignant cells; the other with few Reed-Sternberg cells and lymphocytes with scar-like tissue. Accounts for about 5% of Hodgkin's cases.
- Nodular lymphocyte predominant (NLP): While the 4 types above are "Classical" types, NLP is in a category of its own. Typical Reed-Sternberg cells are rare to non-existent; instead variants called L & H cells (colloquially "popcorn cells") are seen.
Staging
The staging system for Hodgkin's disease has 4 categories, called stages I, II, III, and IV. They are further divided into "A" (symptoms not present) or "B" (certain symptoms are present) stages.
Symptoms that put a person into the B category are loss of more than 10% of body weight over the previous 6 months, fever of 100° or greater without any known cause (except the Hodgkin's disease), or drenching night sweats. If Hodgkin's disease extends locally from a lymph node to an adjacent organ, the letter "E" is added to the stage.
Symptoms that put a person into the B category are loss of more than 10% of body weight over the previous 6 months, fever of 100° or greater without any known cause (except the Hodgkin's disease), or drenching night sweats. If Hodgkin's disease extends locally from a lymph node to an adjacent organ, the letter "E" is added to the stage.
- Stage I: Hodgkin's disease is found in only 1 lymph node area, or has extended locally into adjacent tissue.
- Stage II: Either of these can qualify a person for stage II:
Hodgkin's disease is found in 2 or more lymph node areas on the same side of the diaphragm (muscle beneath the lungs that moves up and down to help you breathe).
The cancer extends locally from the lymph node(s) to adjacent tissue - Stage III: Hodgkin's disease is found in lymph node areas on both sides of the diaphragm.
The cancer may also have extended to an area or organ adjacent to the lymph node and/or to the spleen. - Stage IV: Hodgkin's disease has spread to 1 or more organs outside the lymphatic system such as the bone marrow or liver.
- Progressive: the disease progresses while you are still being treated.
- Recurrent: the disease has come back after it has been treated. It may return in the area where it first started or in another part of the body. This may occur shortly after treatment or years later.
- Survival Rates by stage after 5 years:
I 90% to 95%
II 90% to 95%
III 85% to 90%
IV about 80%
Helpful Sites
- American Cancer Society
- Look up information on cancers including Hodgkin's Disease.
- Mayo Clinic
- A leading hospital in the research of many illnesses.
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
- One of the best sources of information on Lymphoma
- Lymphoma Forums
- A great place for those with Hodgkin's disease and other cancers to discuss their feelings and to ask questions.
Books for Further Reading
Here are some books pertaining to lymphomas, like Hodgkin's Disease:
Living with Lymphoma: A Patient's Guide
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 10/12/2008)
100 Questions & Answers About Lymphoma
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 10/12/2008)
An Illustrated Guide to Skin Lymphoma
Amazon Price: $151.99 (as of 10/12/2008)
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas: A Self-Study Program
Amazon Price: $151.20 (as of 10/12/2008)
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas: Making Sense of Diagnosis, Treatment and Options
Amazon Price: (as of 10/12/2008)
Treatment
There are many different treatment methods used for Hodgkin's Disease. Often some may be used in combination with others. In case of recurrance, additional treatment methods may be used.
A common choice is chemotherapy. This involves a drug regimen, often many drugs. The drugs may be administered via IV or pill. Some common regimens include:
-ABVD, which consists of Adriamycin (doxorubicin), bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine
-BEACOPP, which consists of bleomycin, etoposide, Adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, Oncovin (vincristine), procarbazine and prednisone
-COPP/ABVD, which consists of cyclophosphamide, Oncovin, procarbazine, prednisone, Adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine
-Stanford V, which consists of Adriamycin, vinblastine, mechlorethamine, etoposide, vincristine, bleomycin and prednisone
-MOPP, which consists of mechlorethamine, Oncovin, procarbazine and prednisone
Another choice is radiation. Radiation is used less often because it may lead to secondary cancers. It is often used in low doses in conjunction with chemotherapy.
For more advanced cancers, stem cell or allo transplants may be necessary. Another more extreme option is a bone marrow transplant.
While treatment may not always be effective, the multitude in treatment options gives patients a greater chance at survival.
A common choice is chemotherapy. This involves a drug regimen, often many drugs. The drugs may be administered via IV or pill. Some common regimens include:
-ABVD, which consists of Adriamycin (doxorubicin), bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine
-BEACOPP, which consists of bleomycin, etoposide, Adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, Oncovin (vincristine), procarbazine and prednisone
-COPP/ABVD, which consists of cyclophosphamide, Oncovin, procarbazine, prednisone, Adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine
-Stanford V, which consists of Adriamycin, vinblastine, mechlorethamine, etoposide, vincristine, bleomycin and prednisone
-MOPP, which consists of mechlorethamine, Oncovin, procarbazine and prednisone
Another choice is radiation. Radiation is used less often because it may lead to secondary cancers. It is often used in low doses in conjunction with chemotherapy.
For more advanced cancers, stem cell or allo transplants may be necessary. Another more extreme option is a bone marrow transplant.
While treatment may not always be effective, the multitude in treatment options gives patients a greater chance at survival.
Potential Side Effects
While the treatment options may rid the body of cancer, it can also cause some side effects--both short term and long term.
- Hypothyroidism
- Fertility Problems
- Cardiovascular Disorders
- Lung complications
- Eye Problems
- Cognitive and Memory Problems, known by some as "chemo brain"
- Bone and Joint pain
- Peripheral Neuropathy, or numbness and tingling in hands and feet
- Nausea
- Skin Rashes
- Hair Loss
- Fatigue
- Decreased Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells or Platelets. This could lead to secondary conditions, a decreased immune system, susceptibility to bleeding and bruising.
- Constipation and/or Loose Bowel Movements
- Mouth sores
- Secondary cancers, often from radiation
- Depression
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Anxiety Disorder
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Books about cancers
Anticancer: A New Way of Life
Amazon Price: $17.13 (as of 10/12/2008)
Beating Cancer with Nutrition
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Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips (Crazy Sexy)
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