Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCopingPrognosisNext in Hodgkin Lymphoma GuideHow Hodgkin Lymphoma Is Diagnosed
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
Prognosis
Next in Hodgkin Lymphoma Guide
Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is one of two types of cancer that develop in white blood cells calledlymphocytes. A primary symptom of HL is swollenlymph nodesin the neck, armpits, and groin, which usually will prompt a healthcare provider to do lab and/or imaging tests to diagnose the disease.
HL is relatively rare, affecting about three in every 100,000 people in the United States each year.The survival rate for Hodgkin lymphoma is high when diagnosed early; About 92% of people with Hodgkin lymphoma that has not spread will survive at least five years.However, long-term overall survival is low due to the high risk of relapse.
This article takes a closer look at the types and symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma, along with what causes it and who is most at risk. It also covers how Hodgkin lymphoma is diagnosed and treated.
Types of Hodgkin Lymphoma
There are five major types of Hodgkin lymphoma. Four of these comprise what once was referred to as classical Hodgkin lymphoma and account for more than 95% of all cases of HL in developed countries.
Differences Between Hodgkin Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Signs and Symptoms
The lymphatic system is made up of small, bean-shaped organs called nodes that sit strategically along a network of lymph-fluid filled channels where they serve as checkpoints for the immune system.
The most common—and frequently only—symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is a painless lump that can be felt in the neck, under an armpit, or in the groin, which indicates anenlarged lymph node.Sometimes more than one node are affected.
HL also can affect lymph nodes deep in the chest that are difficult to detect without an imaging test.
If other symptoms develop as a result of Hodgkin lymphoma, they are collectively calledB symptoms. These may include:
A rare symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is pain that occurs after drinking alcohol. It’s unknown why this pain, which is focused in lymph nodes, occurs. One theory is that it’s due to dilation of the blood vessels in the glands in response to the alcohol.
Pain After Drinking Alcohol: Possible Causes
What Causes Hodgkin Lymphoma?
Little is known about what causes Hodgkin lymphoma beyond that it arises in a particular type of lymph cells—B-lymphocytes, or B cells. These are the immune system cells that make proteins called antibodies, which help protect the body from bacteria and viruses.
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), changes in the DNA of B lymphocytes transform them from normal cells to large, abnormal ones called Reed-Sternberg cells, which often contain more than one nucleus.
If Hodgkin lymphoma spreads, it tends to travel from lymph node to lymph node; only rarely and late in the disease does HL move into the bloodstream, which allows it to travel to other parts of the body.
Risk Factors
There are several recognized risk factors for Hodgkin lymphoma. The presence of these risk factors does not mean a person is destined to develop Hodgkin lymphoma, just that they are more likely to have it than others:
Hodgkin Lymphoma: Signs, Treatment, Recovery, and Survival Rate
The first sign of Hodgkin lymphoma is an enlarged lymph node (or nodes), but this is hardly enough to diagnose the disease. There are many reasons for lymph node swelling and most do not involve cancer. In fact, enlarged lymph nodes usually are a symptom of an infection; once the infection clears the body, the swelling goes down.
However, an enlarged lymph node should never be ignored. If you discover one yourself, see your healthcare provider.
If after talking to you about your health history and doing a physical exam they are concerned about the possibility of lymphoma, there are several diagnostic steps that may be taken, including:
Tissue sampling:
Imaging:
Based on guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, PET scans and CT scans (PET/CT) often are done together to diagnose and evaluate Hodgkin lymphoma.
Blood tests:There are no specific blood tests for Hodgkin lymphoma. However, the results of certain ones can signal the possibility of HL (or be used to monitor it):
When caught in an early stage, Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the more treatable and curable forms of blood cancer.There are four standard approaches to treating lymphoma.
In most cases, chemotherapy is the first and only form of treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma.
From the moment of diagnosis to the last day of treatment and beyond (survivorship), coping with Hodgkin lymphoma will present challenges on multiple fronts. You will inevitably have to deal with a range of emotions.
Among the ways to deal with the intense and ever-changing ebb and flow of feelings, accepting them as normal (and not a sign of weakness), educating yourself about the unknown, and seeking support from others are solid first steps.
Coping with the side effects from treatment also will be paramount during your Hodgkin lymphoma journey. Your healthcare provider will be able to guide you toward ways to alleviate and even prevent many of these physical repercussions of both the disease itself and therapies used to address it.
Because the experience of diagnosis and treatment for a disease like Hodgkin lymphoma will span weeks if not months, your day-to-day will be affected in many ways as well (routines, work, finances, etc.) It’s important to seek assistance both from support programs and those around you to get through and focus on your health.
Prognosis and Survival Rates
Many factors are involved in the inexact art of determining survival rates for cancer. According to theAmerican Cancer Society, specific variables related to Hodgkin lymphoma include age, whether this is the first bout with the disease or a recurrence, overall health, response to treatment, and numerous factors regarding various blood components and certain symptoms.
With these considerations in mind, the five-year survival rates for Hodgkin lymphoma, which are based on theNCI’s SEER database of survival statisticsfor many types of cancer, are grouped according to three stages: localized, regional, and distant.
*Tumors in the chest at least a third as wide as the chest, or tumors in other areas at least 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) across
Summary
A diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma can be frightening and trying to understand the disease and treatment options is daunting. Survivorship workshops, conferences, and even social media are excellent ways to connect with others who may share your struggles or have similar experiences and insights.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Momotow J, Borchmann S, Eichenauer D, Engert A, Sasse E.Hodgkin lymphoma—review on pathogenesis, diagnosis, current and future treatment approaches for adult patients.J Clin Med. 2021 Mar;10(5):1125. doi:10.3390/jcm10051125American Cancer Society.Survival rates for Hodgkin lymphoma.Munir F, Hardit V, Sheikh I, et al.Classical Hodgkin lymphoma: From past to future—A comprehensive review of pathophysiology and therapeutic advances.Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Jun;24(12):10095. doi:10.3390/ijms241210095Shanbhag S, Ambinder RF.Hodgkin lymphoma: A review and update on recent progress.CA Cancer J Clin. 2018;68(2):116-132. doi:10.3322/caac.21438Ma L, Varma S, Niranjan-Azadi A.Hodgkin lymphoma presenting as alcohol-induced back pain.BMJ Case Rep. 2019;12(1):e228440. doi:10.1136/bcr-2018-228440National Cancer Institute.Reed-Sternberg cell.American Cancer Society.What causes Hodgkin lymphoma?.Additional ReadingAmerican Cancer Society.Survival Rates for Hodgkin Lymphoma.American Cancer Society.Hodgkin Lymphoma.Hutchings M.How Does PET/CT Help in Selecting Therapy for Patients With Hodgkin Lymphoma?Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program.2012;2012:322-7. doi:10.1182/asheducation-2012.1.322National Cancer Institue.Drugs Approved for Hodgkin Lymphoma.National Cancer Institute. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.SEER Incidence Data.Townsend W, Linch D.Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in Adults.Lancet. 2012 Sep 1;380(9844):836-47. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60035-X
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Momotow J, Borchmann S, Eichenauer D, Engert A, Sasse E.Hodgkin lymphoma—review on pathogenesis, diagnosis, current and future treatment approaches for adult patients.J Clin Med. 2021 Mar;10(5):1125. doi:10.3390/jcm10051125American Cancer Society.Survival rates for Hodgkin lymphoma.Munir F, Hardit V, Sheikh I, et al.Classical Hodgkin lymphoma: From past to future—A comprehensive review of pathophysiology and therapeutic advances.Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Jun;24(12):10095. doi:10.3390/ijms241210095Shanbhag S, Ambinder RF.Hodgkin lymphoma: A review and update on recent progress.CA Cancer J Clin. 2018;68(2):116-132. doi:10.3322/caac.21438Ma L, Varma S, Niranjan-Azadi A.Hodgkin lymphoma presenting as alcohol-induced back pain.BMJ Case Rep. 2019;12(1):e228440. doi:10.1136/bcr-2018-228440National Cancer Institute.Reed-Sternberg cell.American Cancer Society.What causes Hodgkin lymphoma?.Additional ReadingAmerican Cancer Society.Survival Rates for Hodgkin Lymphoma.American Cancer Society.Hodgkin Lymphoma.Hutchings M.How Does PET/CT Help in Selecting Therapy for Patients With Hodgkin Lymphoma?Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program.2012;2012:322-7. doi:10.1182/asheducation-2012.1.322National Cancer Institue.Drugs Approved for Hodgkin Lymphoma.National Cancer Institute. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.SEER Incidence Data.Townsend W, Linch D.Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in Adults.Lancet. 2012 Sep 1;380(9844):836-47. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60035-X
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Momotow J, Borchmann S, Eichenauer D, Engert A, Sasse E.Hodgkin lymphoma—review on pathogenesis, diagnosis, current and future treatment approaches for adult patients.J Clin Med. 2021 Mar;10(5):1125. doi:10.3390/jcm10051125American Cancer Society.Survival rates for Hodgkin lymphoma.Munir F, Hardit V, Sheikh I, et al.Classical Hodgkin lymphoma: From past to future—A comprehensive review of pathophysiology and therapeutic advances.Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Jun;24(12):10095. doi:10.3390/ijms241210095Shanbhag S, Ambinder RF.Hodgkin lymphoma: A review and update on recent progress.CA Cancer J Clin. 2018;68(2):116-132. doi:10.3322/caac.21438Ma L, Varma S, Niranjan-Azadi A.Hodgkin lymphoma presenting as alcohol-induced back pain.BMJ Case Rep. 2019;12(1):e228440. doi:10.1136/bcr-2018-228440National Cancer Institute.Reed-Sternberg cell.American Cancer Society.What causes Hodgkin lymphoma?.
Momotow J, Borchmann S, Eichenauer D, Engert A, Sasse E.Hodgkin lymphoma—review on pathogenesis, diagnosis, current and future treatment approaches for adult patients.J Clin Med. 2021 Mar;10(5):1125. doi:10.3390/jcm10051125
American Cancer Society.Survival rates for Hodgkin lymphoma.
Munir F, Hardit V, Sheikh I, et al.Classical Hodgkin lymphoma: From past to future—A comprehensive review of pathophysiology and therapeutic advances.Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Jun;24(12):10095. doi:10.3390/ijms241210095
Shanbhag S, Ambinder RF.Hodgkin lymphoma: A review and update on recent progress.CA Cancer J Clin. 2018;68(2):116-132. doi:10.3322/caac.21438
Ma L, Varma S, Niranjan-Azadi A.Hodgkin lymphoma presenting as alcohol-induced back pain.BMJ Case Rep. 2019;12(1):e228440. doi:10.1136/bcr-2018-228440
National Cancer Institute.Reed-Sternberg cell.
American Cancer Society.What causes Hodgkin lymphoma?.
American Cancer Society.Survival Rates for Hodgkin Lymphoma.American Cancer Society.Hodgkin Lymphoma.Hutchings M.How Does PET/CT Help in Selecting Therapy for Patients With Hodgkin Lymphoma?Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program.2012;2012:322-7. doi:10.1182/asheducation-2012.1.322National Cancer Institue.Drugs Approved for Hodgkin Lymphoma.National Cancer Institute. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.SEER Incidence Data.Townsend W, Linch D.Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in Adults.Lancet. 2012 Sep 1;380(9844):836-47. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60035-X
American Cancer Society.Survival Rates for Hodgkin Lymphoma.
American Cancer Society.Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Hutchings M.How Does PET/CT Help in Selecting Therapy for Patients With Hodgkin Lymphoma?Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program.2012;2012:322-7. doi:10.1182/asheducation-2012.1.322
National Cancer Institue.Drugs Approved for Hodgkin Lymphoma.
National Cancer Institute. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.SEER Incidence Data.
Townsend W, Linch D.Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in Adults.Lancet. 2012 Sep 1;380(9844):836-47. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60035-X
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Hodgkin Lymphoma: Signs, Recovery, and Survival RateHow Hodgkin Lymphoma Is DiagnosedLearn About How Survival Rates Are Improving With Hodgkin DiseaseHodgkin Lymphoma: What You Need to Know
Hodgkin Lymphoma: Signs, Recovery, and Survival Rate
How Hodgkin Lymphoma Is Diagnosed
Learn About How Survival Rates Are Improving With Hodgkin Disease
Hodgkin Lymphoma: What You Need to Know
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