Hodgkin Lymphoma – Symptoms and Causes
What Is Hodgkin Lymphoma?
Hodgkin lymphoma affects the lymphatic system, which helps fight germs and disease as part of your immune system. This cancer starts when healthy cells in the lymphatic system change and grow without control.
The lymphatic system includes lymph nodes found throughout your body. These nodes are mainly located in the abdomen, groin, pelvis, chest, underarms, and neck.
Other parts of the lymphatic system include the spleen, thymus, tonsils, and bone marrow. Hodgkin lymphoma can affect all these areas and other organs.
This condition differs from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is the other main type of lymphoma. Better diagnosis methods and treatment options have greatly improved recovery chances for people with Hodgkin lymphoma.
Types
Different types of blood and lymphatic cancers exist. These include:
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A slow-growing cancer that affects white blood cells.
- Cutaneous B-cell Lymphoma: A rare type of skin lymphoma involving B cells.
- Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma: A cancer that affects T cells and primarily shows up on the skin.
- Lymphoma: Cancer that begins in the infection-fighting cells of the immune system.
These conditions vary in how they develop, their symptoms, and treatment approaches.
Signs To Watch For
Hodgkin lymphoma can cause several symptoms that may develop over time. These include:
- Swollen lymph nodes that don’t hurt (typically in the neck, underarms, or groin)
- Ongoing fever without clear cause
- Extreme tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest
- Night sweats that may soak bedding
- Unexplained weight loss
- Skin itching that can be severe
These symptoms often develop gradually and might come and go. Many people with Hodgkin lymphoma experience only some of these signs.
When To Contact a Healthcare Provider
If you notice any symptoms that persist for more than two weeks, schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Remember that these symptoms can also be caused by many common conditions, like viral infections or stress-related issues.
Your healthcare provider will likely check for these more common causes first before considering lymphoma. Don’t hesitate to seek medical advice if symptoms continue or worsen.
What Causes Hodgkin Lymphoma
Classical Hodgkin lymphoma begins with DNA changes in lymphocytes, which are blood cells that fight disease. These DNA mutations instruct the cells to multiply rapidly and survive longer than normal cells would.
The altered cells, known as Reed-Sternberg cells, become the hallmark of this more common type of Hodgkin lymphoma.
Reed-Sternberg cells attract healthy immune cells that protect them and help them grow. This creates a unique environment where:
- Cancer cells thrive with support from normal immune cells
- Lymph nodes become crowded and swollen
- Symptoms begin to develop
Classical Hodgkin lymphoma includes four subtypes:
| Subtype | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Nodular sclerosis | Most common subtype |
| Mixed cellularity | Contains various cell types |
| Lymphocyte-depleted | Rare, often advanced at diagnosis |
| Lymphocyte-rich | Better prognosis generally |
This rare form of Hodgkin lymphoma also starts with DNA changes in lymphocytes, but it involves different cancer cells. These cells appear distinctive under a microscope and are sometimes called “popcorn cells” because of their unique appearance.
Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma typically develops more slowly than classical types. Medical experts often detect it in earlier stages, which may allow for less aggressive treatment approaches.
The exact trigger for the DNA changes in either type remains unknown to healthcare professionals.
Risk Factors
Several factors may increase your chance of developing Hodgkin lymphoma:
- Age: This cancer most commonly affects people in their 20s and 30s, with another rise in risk for those over 65.
- Family History: Having a blood relative with Hodgkin lymphoma raises your risk.
- Gender: People assigned male at birth face a slightly higher risk than those assigned female at birth.
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Viral Infections:
- Prior Epstein-Barr virus infection (which causes mononucleosis)
- HIV infection
There is currently no known way to prevent Hodgkin lymphoma.
Many people with these risk factors never develop Hodgkin lymphoma, while others without any known risk factors do.
