What is Hodgkin lymphoma?
Hodgkin lymphoma (also known as Hodgkin's disease) is a cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are part of the body’s immune system.
There are two main types of lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Each one behaves, spreads and responds to treatment differently, so it's important for you to understand which type you have.
Lymph tissue is found in many parts throughout your body so Hodgkin lymphoma can start almost anywhere in your body. However, it typically starts in the lymph nodes in the upper body. The most common places it is first detected are in the chest, neck or under the arms.
Hodgkin lymphoma typically spreads through the lymph vessels— going lymph node to lymph node. Rarely, in later stages, it can invade the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs and or bone marrow.
Common Symptoms
Painless swelling of lymph nodes in your neck, armpits or groin
Persistent fatigue
Fever and chills
Night sweats
Unexplained, rapid weight loss
Itching
Increased sensitivity to the effects of alcohol or pain in your lymph nodes after drinking alcohol
Treatment
Treatment options depend on the overall stage of your disease, your overall health and preferences. Typically treatment is a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, stem cell transplants and targeted immunotherapy treatments.
Targeted immunotherapy is a very active and exciting area of cancer research. It works by employing a drug known as a checkpoint inhibitor along with chemotherapy to target cancer cells. Checkpoint inhibitor drugs like Pembrolizumab work by altering the immune system. Research has shown that the cells that contribute to Hodgkin lymphoma excrete a protein that masks them from your immune system. This targeted therapy helps activate those cells so they can better recognize and destroy the malignant cancer cells. New targeted therapy drugs are currently being studied in clinical trials in both first-line treatment or in cases of relapse. Make sure to ask your doctor if a clinical trial is right for you.
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