Understanding Hodgkins Lymphoma Why It Is Known as Hodgkin Disease
Hodgkins lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. It is also known as HL and Hodgkin disease. It is named after Dr. Thomas Hodgkin who discovered it in 1832.
How is it different from Non Hodgkins?
Lymphatic tissues affected by Hodgkins contain a specific B cell called Reed-Sternberg cell. This specific B immune cell is not found in Non Hodgkins.
It attacks groups of lymph nodes in one area of the body especially in the lymph nodes located in your neck. When HL spreads, it metastasizes to other lymphatic tissues found usually in your spleen, liver, bone marrow and other organs.
According to the NCI, the estimated new HL cases in the United States are almost 9,000 and deaths are more than a thousand for 2009. In the United Kingdom, almost 1,500 persons are diagnosed with Hodgkin disease annually.
There are 2 major types of Hodgkins lymphoma. They are...
Classical Hodgkin and
Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin.
People who are most affected by Hodgkin lymphoma are those between the ages of 15 to 40 and 50 to 70.
Known Causes of Hodgkins Lymphoma
Hodgkin lymphoma is believed to be triggered by the following...
Poor Immune System
An unhealthy immune system significantly increases your risk for Hodgkins. Individuals who have had HIV infection or are diagnosed with AIDS are at a much greater risk because they have poor immune systems.
Those who underwent organ transplant also face an increased risk for Hodgkin because transplants require them to take medicines that can suppress immune functions.
Prevention of Hodgkin and even other types of cancer always starts with a healthy immune system.
Having a sibling who has Hodgkin lymphoma places you at a higher risk for HL but this reason is believed to be due to similar environment than to genetics.
Geography
Where you live affects your risk. Hodgkin disease is found to be most common in Canada, Northern Europe and the United States.
Gender
Being male makes you more susceptible to HL. Your gender also affects your prognosis or chances of survival.
The first signs for both Hodgkin and Non Hodgkin lymphomas are swelling and enlargement of your lymph nodes. Once the disease progresses, it exhibits other signs and symptoms of lymphoma. It also compromises your body’s ability to fight foreign invaders and infection.
Although lymphoma prognosis and survival for the early stages looks good, a piece of bad news is reported in the July 1, 2009 issue of the Journal of NCI. According to the report, “Survivors of HL who were treated with radiation therapy are facing an increased risk of a stroke later in life.”
