Signs suggestive of Hodgkin's lymphoma include painless swelling of lymph nodes (neck, armpit, groin), persistent fever, drenching night sweats, unexplained weight loss, extreme fatigue, itchy skin, and sometimes cough or breathlessness, with the hallmark being enlarged, firm, painless lumps. While these can point to lymphoma, these symptoms also occur with infections, so seeing a doctor for persistent issues is crucial, as diagnosis requires a biopsy to find specific cells (Reed-Sternberg cells).
Hodgkin lymphoma is highly treatable and often curable. Treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma may include chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, bone marrow transplant, also called bone marrow stem cell transplant, and clinical trials.
Main symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma
a painless lump or swelling, usually in your neck, armpit or groin – this is the most common symptom. pain in the glands in your neck, armpit or groin when you drink alcohol. a high temperature. night sweats.
Hodgkin lymphoma is a group of blood cancers that start in lymphocytes — white blood cells in your lymphatic system. Most start in the lymph nodes in your neck or chest cavity. Although it can come back after treatment, Hodgkin lymphoma is considered one of the most curable cancers.
The most common symptom of breast malignancy is a painless palpable lump. Local pain, edema, or subcutaneous or skin nodules are frequent in lymphoma, especially the T-cell type, whereas nipple retraction or discharge is extremely rare [12,17,18].
Symptoms
NHL most often affects adults, but children can get it too. See Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children. NHL usually starts in lymph nodes or other lymph tissue, but it can sometimes affect the skin.
While Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) often has better overall survival rates (around 90% 5-year survival vs. NHL's ~74%) and a more predictable spread, making it highly treatable, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) is more common, has many aggressive subtypes, and can be harder to cure, though many slow-growing NHLs behave like chronic conditions. The "worse" type depends on the specific subtype, stage, and individual factors, as NHL encompasses over 60 types, some very aggressive and others very slow-growing.
What causes Hodgkin's lymphoma? Experts aren't sure what causes Hodgkin lymphoma, but researchers believe there may be a connection to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a virus that belongs to the herpes family. Most of us are exposed to it during childhood, typically with minor or no symptoms at all.
For stage 1 Hodgkin lymphoma, the chance of surviving at least five years is 92%. As the cancer spreads, the chances get lower. For stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma, the chance of surviving at least five years is about 82%. For stage 1 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the chance of surviving at least five years is 87%.
A biopsy of an enlarged lymph node is needed to diagnose Hodgkin lymphoma. The preferred and most common type of biopsy is called an “excisional biopsy,” in which the whole lymph node is typically removed (excised).
For most people with Hodgkin lymphoma, side effects from chemotherapy aren't severe and they usually go away when treatment stops. They may include: infections and fever. difficulty pooing (constipation)
Age – Hodgkin lymphoma is frequently diagnosed in two age groups: adults in their 20s and those older than 55. Family history – Individuals with a sibling or parent who was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma are at elevated risk, which suggests the cancer has a genetic component.
For most people, treatment will get rid of the lymphoma completely. But there is a risk that it might come back and you need more treatment. If this happens, treatment may still be able to get rid of the lymphoma completely.
Hodgkin lymphoma often develops in people between the ages of 16 and 34. These younger patients are usually otherwise healthy.
Hodgkin lymphoma in organs
You can also get Hodgkin lymphoma in body organs, such as the lungs, bones or liver. This is known as extranodal disease. Some people are diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in their spleen. The spleen is a large organ to the left of your stomach.
With lymphoma, the body overproduces lymphocytes. The two main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin lymphoma and, most commonly, non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Each type of lymphoma involves different lymphocytes, grows at a different rate and responds differently to treatment.
Warning signs of Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL) often include painless swelling of lymph nodes (neck, armpit, groin), persistent fatigue, unexplained fever, drenching night sweats, and significant weight loss, along with symptoms like itching, cough, shortness of breath, or pain in the chest/abdomen, especially after drinking alcohol. These signs can also point to other conditions, so seeing a doctor for proper diagnosis is crucial.
Some lymphomas grow faster and require specific treatment. Classifying them is complex because many kinds of lymphocyte cells can be involved. These grow so slowly that patients can live for many years mostly without symptoms, although some may experience pain from an enlarged lymph gland.
The first signs of lymphoma often include painless swelling in the neck, armpit, or groin (lymph nodes), along with fatigue, fever, drenching night sweats, unexplained weight loss, and persistent itching, though symptoms vary by lymphoma type and location, potentially affecting the abdomen, chest, or skin. Many people initially dismiss these signs as something minor, like stress or infection, but they can also signal more serious issues like difficulty breathing or abdominal pain.
Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy are the main treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma. You might get one or more treatments, depending on your situation. Some people with Hodgkin lymphoma are treated with a stem cell transplant, especially if other treatments don't work.
Most types of lymphoma can't be diagnosed by a blood test alone. However, most people affected by lymphoma will have blood tests as part of their diagnosis and frequently throughout treatment. You continue to have blood tests, though less frequently, after treatment during follow-up.
Lymphomas that start or grow in the abdomen (belly) can cause swelling or pain in the abdomen. This could be from lymph nodes or organs, such as the spleen or liver, getting bigger. It can also be caused by the buildup of large amounts of fluid.
Lymph tissue is in many parts of your body, so Hodgkin lymphoma can start almost anywhere, but:
You can't catch lymphoma and you can't give it to anybody else. Lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops when white blood cells called lymphocytes grow out of control. This happens if the DNA inside a lymphocyte changes in a way that stops it responding to signals.