Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Hodgkin’s lymphoma, another cancer of the lymph system, is less common than non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; there are roughly 8,000 new diagnoses of Hodgkin’s lymphoma in
the U.S. each year.17 Hodgkin’s lymphoma often spreads from one group of lymph nodes
to another, and may also spread outside the lymph system to other organs such as the
lungs, liver, bone and bone marrow.
Treatment of Hodgkin’s lymphoma varies by stage.
Stage I: Cancer is found only in a single lymph node, in the area immediately
surrounding that node or in a single organ.
Stage II: Cancer involves more than one lymph node on one side of the diaphragm (the
breathing muscle separating the abdomen from the chest).
Stage III: The cancer involves lymph node regions above and below the diaphragm. For
example, there may be swollen lymph nodes under the arm and in the abdomen.
Stage IV: Cancer involves one or more organs outside the lymph system.
American Cancer Society: About Staging
Patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma may also experience general symptoms from their
disease. Patients with fever, night sweats or significant weight loss are said to have "B"
symptoms. Patients who do not experience these specific symptoms are classified as
"A".
Treatments for Hodgkin’s lymphoma include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and high dose chemotherapy with bone marrow transplant or peripheral blood stem cell rescue. It is
important for patients to remember that treatment is determined by the stage and other
specific characteristics of the cancer. Patients should speak with their doctor to discuss
the individual risks and benefits of each treatment option.
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