1. Hodgkin’s Lymphoma By: Tonya Weir and Paige Mathias Date: October 13, 2010

2.  Hodgkin's Lymphoma is characterized by the presence of a special type of lymphatic cell called a Reed- Sternberg (RS) cell.  Hodgkin's Lymphoma can affect the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and other internal organs.  Doctors don’t know what causes Hodgkin’s Disease.  Hodgkin disease named after Dr. Thomas Hodgkin, who first recognized it in 1832  Hodgkin disease starts in lymphatic tissue. Lymphatic tissue includes the lymph nodes and other organs that are part of the body's immune and blood-forming systems.

3.  The most common sign of both Hodgkin's disease non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is a painless swelling in one or more of the lymph nodes of the neck, collarbone region, armpits, or groin.  Most lymph node swelling (especially in children) is caused by an infection, not by lymphoma.  Fever  Drenching night sweats  Weight loss  Itching  Tiredness  Decreased appetite  Coughing or shortness of breath  The fever can come and go over periods of several days or weeks.

4.  Hodgkin’s lymphoma can occur at any age, but the majority of those affected are young adults between 15 and 35 years of age, and older adults over age 50. 10,000 Americans each year, and is more common in men than in women.

5.  There are no preventive measures for Hodgkin's Disease, early diagnosis is important to a full recovery.  After being treated for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the doctor may recommend follow-up examinations for several years to detect a return of the disease or the development of another cancer, a possible side affect of treatment.

6.  To diagnose Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the doctor may examine the patient for signs of tender, swollen lymph nodes. The lymph nodes that are most often affected by Hodgkin's lymphoma are those in the neck, above the collarbone, under the arms, and in the chest above the diaphragm.  The doctor may want to remove an enlarged lymph node, remove a small portion of it, or take fluid from it to determine whether giant cells called Reed-Sternberg cells are present to confirm diagnosis. A bone marrow biopsy may also be performed to see if the disease has spread to the bone marrow.  The doctor may order tests such as a CT or CAT scan, chest x-ray or MRI to identify other areas of enlarged lymph nodes and abnormalities in the spleen or other organs

7.  Stage I of Hodgkin's lymphoma, one lymph node region is involved.  Stage II, two lymph node areas on one side of the diaphragm are involved.  Stage III, lymph node regions are involved on both sides of the diaphragm.  Stage IV, cancer is also detected in the bone marrow or liver.

8.  To treat Hodgkin's lymphoma, the patient may be referred to a medical oncologist (a physician specializing in cancer).  Treatment may depend on the stage of the cancer and whether or not symptoms are present to minimize possible side affects.  Radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy (drug therapy) are the standard treatments for Hodgkin's lymphoma.  You may also need to be vaccinated against the flu, pneumonia, and meningitis because the disease interferes with your ability to fight off infections.

9.  A Hodgkin's lymphoma prognosis is a medical opinion as to the likely course and outcome of the disease in a particular patient.  Factors that affect a prognosis for a person with Hodgkin's lymphoma include the stage of the cancer and the person's age, general health, and response to treatment.  In addition, doctors considering a patient's Hodgkin's lymphoma prognosis will consider statistics from hundreds (or even thousands) of other cases.  It's important to remember, however, that a prognosis is only a prediction -- doctors cannot say with certainty what the outcome will be for a particular patient.

11.  http://www.lymphomainfo.net/hodgkins http://www.lymphomainfo.net/hodgkins  http://www.metrohealth.org/body.cfm?id=1632 http://www.metrohealth.org/body.cfm?id=1632  http://www.oncologychannel.com/nonhodgkins /symptoms.shtml. http://www.oncologychannel.com/nonhodgkins /symptoms.shtml  http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/h/hodgkins. htm http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/h/hodgkins. htm  http://cancer.emedtv.com/hodgkin's- disease/hodgkin's-lymphoma-prognosis.html http://cancer.emedtv.com/hodgkin's- disease/hodgkin's-lymphoma-prognosis.html