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McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Women's Health Advisor 2002.2
Hodgkin's Disease
What is Hodgkin's disease?
Hodgkin's disease is a kind of lymphoma, an uncommon cancer
of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system includes the
lymph nodes and related organs, such as the spleen and bone
marrow, that are part of the body's immune and blood-forming
systems. This system drains a fluid called lymph from the
body and carries white blood cells called lymphocytes that
help fight infection.
Lymph tissue is found mainly in the spleen (located
behind your stomach on the lower left side of the rib cage),
the thymus gland (in the chest behind the breastbone), the
adenoids and tonsils, and the bone marrow.
Hodgkin's disease, also called Hodgkin's lymphoma, is one
of the most curable cancers. It affects mainly adults in
their 20s and 30s. Men are affected more often than women.
How does it occur?
For reasons that are not known, there is an overproduction
of abnormal lymphocytes. These cancer cells crowd into
the lymph nodes and may also invade other parts of the body.
Tumors may then grow and interfere with normal bodily
functions.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of Hodgkin's disease include:
- painless swelling of lymph nodes, usually in the neck
- weakness and fatigue
- fever
- loss of appetite and weight loss
- night sweats
- itching
- pain after drinking alcohol or loss of taste for alcohol.
How is it diagnosed?
Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and
do a physical exam. A sample of tissue (biopsy) may be
taken from a swollen lymph node and examined under a
microscope. If you have Hodgkin's disease, unusual cells
called Reed-Sternberg cells will be found in the tissue.
Other tests may be done to see how far the disease has
progressed and to help determine the best treatment. These
tests may include:
- blood tests
- chest x-rays
- CT scans
- biopsies of the liver, spleen, or lymph nodes in the
abdomen.
What is the treatment?
Hodgkin's disease is divided into stages, depending on the
areas of lymph nodes and other organs affected by the
cancer. Treatment will vary according to the stage of the
disease.
Radiation therapy or anticancer drugs (chemotherapy)
may be used to kill the cancer cells. Bone marrow
transplants are sometimes done.
How long will the effects last?
Hodgkin's disease can be cured in many cases. When
treatment begins in the early stages, radiation therapy can
cure 80 to 90% of people. When the disease is found in a
later stage, a combination of radiation and chemotherapy has
about a 40% chance of rate.
How can I take care of myself?
- Follow the full course of treatment your health care
provider prescribes.
- If you have a fever above 100°F (37.8°C), stay in
bed. After your temperature has fallen below 100°F
(37.8°C), become as active as you comfortably can. Ask
your health care provider if you can take aspirin or
acetaminophen to control your fever.
- Learn about the side effects you may have from radiation
or chemotherapy. It may help to be prepared for severe
or distressing side effects, such as baldness. Usually
your hair will grow back when therapy stops.
- Consider joining a cancer support group during your
illness and recovery.
- Do not try unproven cancer treatments without discussing
them first with your health care provider.
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