Hodgkin Lymphoma Signs, Symptoms, and Risk Factors

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is one of the most curable types of cancer. Under the microscope, “Reed- Sternberg cells” are visible, this distinguishes Hodgkin from other types of lymphoma. HL is also different from non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) by the way it presents itself and how it behaves.

For example, the spread of HL usually follows a predictable pattern from one group of lymph nodes to another, whereas the affected nodes in NHL tend to be distributed throughout the body. Also, HL is rarely found outside of the lymph nodes, while NHL will frequently exist anywhere. For these reasons, HL is often a disease that is easier to treat and manage than NHL. It is most commonly diagnosed in people aged 15-25 or over the age of 50, and more likely to affect men than women.

The signs and symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma include:

• Painless swelling of the lymph nodes, especially in the neck, chest, and armpits
• Feeling more tired than usual or generally unwell
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fever without signs of an infection
• Cough or feeling short of breath
• Night sweats that soak the bedclothes
• Itchy skin
• Pain in the lymph nodes after drinking alcohol

These symptoms can also be present in many other, non- cancerous conditions. If you are concerned about symptoms you are experiencing, you should seek advice from your healthcare provider.

As with many types of cancer, the exact cause of Hodgkin lymphoma is not known. Many people who have risk factors will never develop the disease, and some lymphoma patients have no known risks.

Some possible risk factors may include:

• A history of infectious mononucleosis (“mono”)
• Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV)
• Family history of Hodgkin lymphoma
• History of a stem cell transplant

Hodgkin lymphoma is different from non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the way it appears under the microscope, but also in how it progresses and spreads. It is a highly treatable form of cancer. As a result, your healthcare team will want to ensure an accurate diagnosis, so that you can get the best treatment for your disease.