Hodgkin's Disease

Hodgkin’s disease is a form of lymph node cancer (lymphoma) in which the body’s infection-fighting cells develop a mutation that causes them to become oversized and begin crowding out healthy cells within the lymphatic system. The primary symptom of this disease is painless swelling of the lymph glands in the affected location. For example, you might notice swelling of the glands on either side of your neck, under your arms, around your groin area or elsewhere. Other typical symptoms include fever, night sweats, fatigue, chills, weight loss and itchiness. Patients who have a family history of lymphoma, who have a compromised immune system, or who have previously contracted an Epstein-Barr infection such as mono are at higher risk of developing Hodgkin’s disease. Hodgkin’s lymphoma can often be detected at a somewhat early stage and is considered one of the most treatable forms of cancer in existence. Treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and stem cell transplantation.