What part of the body does Hodgkin's lymphoma affect?

Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's germ-fighting immune system. In Hodgkin's lymphoma, white blood cells called lymphocytes grow out of control, causing swollen lymph nodes and growths throughout the body.

What organs are affected by Hodgkin's lymphoma?

Two-thirds of the time, a lymph node in the neck is affected. Otherwise, lymph nodes in the armpits, chest, groin, or abdomen are affected. The disease may spread to other lymph nodes, the area around the nodes, the spleen, liver, lungs, and bone marrow.

Where is Hodgkin's lymphoma located?

Although Hodgkin lymphoma can start almost anywhere, most often it starts in lymph nodes in the upper part of the body. The most common sites are in the chest, neck, or under the arms. Hodgkin lymphoma most often spreads through the lymph vessels from lymph node to lymph node.

What body systems are affected by lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's germ-fighting network. The lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes (lymph glands), spleen, thymus gland and bone marrow. Lymphoma can affect all those areas as well as other organs throughout the body.

What part of the lymphatic system does Hodgkin's lymphoma affect?

Hodgkin lymphoma most commonly affects lymph nodes in the neck or in the area between the lungs and behind the breastbone. It can also begin in groups of lymph nodes under an arm, in the groin, or in the abdomen or pelvis.

Hodgkin Lymphoma

What is the most common presenting symptom of Hodgkin's lymphoma?

The most common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is one or more enlarged (swollen) lymph nodes. The enlarged lymph node may be in the neck, upper chest, armpit, abdomen or groin. The swollen lymph node is usually painless.

What were your first signs of Hodgkin's lymphoma?

What happens to the body when you have lymphoma?

When a person develops lymphoma, their lymphocytes become abnormal cancerous cells and grow uncontrollably. This can cause your immune system to be compromised. As these cells move throughout the lymphatic system, they lodge into lymph nodes and cause them to swell.

Where does lymphoma spread to first?

NHL usually starts in an area of lymph nodes. When it spreads to an organ or tissue outside of the lymph nodes, it is called extranodal spread.

What causes Hodgkin's lymphoma?

Hodgkin lymphoma is caused by a change (mutation) in the DNA of a type of white blood cell called B lymphocytes. The exact reason why this happens isn't known. The DNA gives the cells a basic set of instructions, such as when to grow and reproduce.

Which lymph nodes swell with Hodgkin's lymphoma?

The most common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is a swelling in the neck, armpit or groin. The swelling is usually painless, although some people find that it aches. The swelling is caused by an excess of affected lymphocytes (white blood cells) collecting in a lymph node (also called lymph glands).

What is the most common early symptom of lymphoma?

The most common sign of lymphoma is a lump or lumps, usually in the neck, armpit or groin. These lumps are swollen lymph nodes, sometimes known as 'glands'. Usually, they're painless. Fatigue is different to normal tiredness.

Which is worse Hodgkins or non Hodgkins?

The prognosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma is also better than that of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma since non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is often diagnosed at a more advanced stage. Both forms of blood cancer are treatable when caught early, however.

Does Hodgkin's lymphoma affect the liver?

Generally, liver failure is a feature of stage IV end-stage disease, when it occurs in lymphoma. Thus, hepatic involvement usually occurs late in the course of Hodgkin's disease or with advanced-stage disease, and primary presentation in the liver with acute liver failure is extremely rare.

Can Hodgkin's lymphoma spread to the brain?

Abstract. Central nervous system (CNS) metastases from Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL) are very rare, occurring in 0.02–0.5% of cases. They are usually associated to systemic relapse of the disease. Treatment options for HL brain metastases include surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic chemotherapy.

What happens in Hodgkin's disease?

In Hodgkin lymphoma, B-lymphocytes (a particular type of lymphocyte) start to multiply in an abnormal way and begin to collect in certain parts of the lymphatic system, such as the lymph nodes (glands). The affected lymphocytes lose their infection-fighting properties, making you more vulnerable to infection.

How long can you have Hodgkin's lymphoma without knowing?

These grow so slowly that patients can live for many years mostly without symptoms, although some may experience pain from an enlarged lymph gland. After five to 10 years, low-grade disorders begin to progress rapidly to become aggressive or high-grade and produce more severe symptoms.

What can be mistaken for lymphoma?

Does lymphoma show up in blood work?

Most types of lymphoma can't be diagnosed by a blood test. However, blood tests can help your medical team find out how lymphoma and its treatment are affecting your body. They can also be used to find out more about your general health.

Can lymphoma affect your legs?

Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type: This is a fast-growing lymphoma that begins as large nodules, mainly on the lower legs. It occurs most often in older people, and is more common in women than men.

Do you feel ill with lymphoma?

Anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCL) may come with symptoms such as fever, backache, painless swelling of lymph nodes, poor appetite, itchy skin, rashes and fatigue. Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) often causes symptoms such as fever, night sweats, rashes and itchy skin.

How is Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosed?

A biopsy is the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope. Other tests can suggest that cancer is present, but Hodgkin lymphoma can only be diagnosed after a biopsy of an affected tissue, preferably by removal (or excision) of a lymph node.

Who is most at risk for lymphoma?

Age. Getting older is a strong risk factor for lymphoma overall, with most cases occurring in people in their 60s or older . But some types of lymphoma are more common in younger people.

What virus causes Hodgkin's lymphoma?

Viruses: The Epstein-Barr virus, the same virus that causes infectious mononucleosis (mono), has been implicated as a cause of Hodgkin lymphoma. The presence of the genome of this virus is seen in 20%-80% of Hodgkin lymphoma tumors.