HODGKINS LYMPHOMA

Various types of Hodgkin’s lymphoma exist. The type is based on the types of cells involved in your disease and their behaviour, including:

Classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma –It is the more common type of this disease. It can be broken down further into subtypes. People diagnosed with classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma have large, abnormal cells called Reed-Sternberg cells in their lymph nodes.

Subtypes of classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma include:

• Nodular Sclerosis Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Mixed Cellularity Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Lymphocyte-Rich Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Lymphocyte-Depleted Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin’s lymphoma- It is a much rarer type of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It involves large, abnormal cells that are sometimes called popcorn cells because of their appearance.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma signs and symptoms may include:

• Persistent Fatigue
• Fever And Chills
• Night Sweats
• Itching
• Unexplained, Rapid Weight Loss
• Painless Swelling of Lymph Nodes in your Neck, Armpits or Groin
• Increased Sensitivity to the Effects of Alcohol or Pain in your Lymph Nodes after Drinking Alcohol

DIAGNOSIS

To diagnose Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the doctor might perform the following:

• Physical exam.The doctor checks for swollen lymph node in your neck, underarm and groin, as well as a swollen spleen or liver.
• Blood tests.A sample of your blood is examined in a lab to detect if anything in your blood indicates the possibility of cancer.
• Imaging tests.Imaging tests include: X-ray; computerized tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET).
• Surgery to remove a swollen lymph node.Minor surgery may be done to remove all or part of an enlarged lymph node for testing. The lymph node is sent to a laboratory for testing. A diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma is made if the abnormal Reed-Sternberg cells are found within the lymph node.
• A procedure to collect bone marrow for testing.A bone marrow biopsy may be used to look for signs of cancer in the bone marrow. During this procedure, a small amount of bone marrow, blood and bone are removed through a needle.

After your lymphoma has been diagnosed and determined its extent, the doctor will assign a stage. The cancer stage can help to determine your prognosis and your treatment options.

Stages of Hodgkin’s lymphoma include:

• Stage I.The cancer is limited to one lymph node region or a single organ.
• Stage II.The cancer in this stage is in two lymph node regions or the cancer has invaded one organ and the nearby lymph nodes. But the cancer is still limited to a section of the body either above or below the diaphragm.
• Stage III.The cancer moves to lymph nodes both above and below the diaphragm. Cancer may also be in one portion of tissue or an organ near the lymph node groups or in the spleen.
• Stage IV.This is the most advanced stage of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Cancer cells are in several portions of one or more organs and tissues. Stage IV Hodgkin’s lymphoma affects not only the lymph nodes but also other parts of your body, such as the liver, lungs or bones.

Additionally, your doctor uses the letters A and B to indicate whether you’re experiencing symptoms of Hodgkin’s lymphoma:

• A –means that you don’t have any significant symptoms as a result of the cancer.
• B-indicates that you may have significant signs and symptoms, such as a persistent fever, unintended weight loss or severe night sweats.

TREATMENT

Treatment options depend on your type, stage of disease, overall health and preferences. The goal of treatment is to destroy as many cancer cells as possible and bring the disease into remission.

• Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses chemicals to kill lymphoma cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be taken in pill form or through a vein in your arm, or sometimes both methods of administration are used. Several combinations of chemotherapy drugs are used to treat Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
• Radiation uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays and protons, to kill cancer cells. For classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma, radiation therapy can be used alone, but it is often used after chemotherapy.
• Bone marrow transplant also known as a stem cell transplant is a treatment to replace your diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells that help you grow new bone marrow. A bone marrow transplant may be an option if Hodgkin’s lymphoma returns despite treatment.
• Targeted therapy uses medications designed to target specific vulnerabilities in your cancer cells. If other treatment doesn’t resolve Hodgkin’s lymphoma and it keeps on returning, your lymphoma cells may be analyzed in a laboratory to look for genetic mutations. Your doctor may recommend treatment with a drug that targets the particular mutations present in your lymphoma cells.
• Alternative medicine may help you cope with the stress of a cancer diagnosis and the side effects of cancer treatment. Talk to your doctor about your options, such as:
  • Art therapy
  • Exercise
  • Meditation
  • Music Therapy
  • Relaxation Exercises
  • Spirituality