Hodgkin’s disease is now usually called Hodgkin’s lymphoma. A lymphoma is one of a group of cancers of the B-cells and the T-cells of lymph tissue. It particularly affects the lymph nodes and spleen. Hodgkin’s disease usually begins in adolescence and early adult life, but can occur at any age. It affects the sexes equally. The cause is unknown, but cancer-causing viruses are thought to be involved. With present-day treatment most cases of Hodgkin’s disease can be cured.After the age of 20, Hodgkin’s lymphoma affects about 1 person in 25,000. Before that age the disease is much rarer.

Symptoms

In Hodgkin’s disease there is painless lymph-node enlargement in the neck, under the arm or the groin. The nodes become rubbery, easily felt, and occasionally slightly tender to pressure. Later, the spleen and liver get bigger, which is part of the general involvement of lymph tissue throughout the body. Persistent but variable degrees of fever are common, as is anaemia. Other symptoms include itching skin, fatigue, loss of appetite, and sometimes alcohol-induced pain in areas of lymph node enlargement.

Causes

This is unknown. A different type of lymphoma called Burkitt’s lymphoma is known to be caused by viruses.

Treatment

Hodgkin’s lymphoma used always to lead to death, but today early treatment with radiotherapy, chemotherapy or both can cure most cases. Even in advanced disease, the outlook is good if the person is treated skilfully with drugs such as mustine, doxorubicin, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisolone. Most cases are treated with radiotherapy unless the affected tissues are too widespread to be irradiated. Most people with Hodgkin's disease are treated successfully. The main treatment is radiotherapy. In some situations (for example when the disease is widespread) chemotherapy is used. Steroids can also be given as part of the treatment .