Hodgkins Disease

Hodgkins Disease, also known as Hodgkin's Lymphoma, is a cancer of the lymphatic system and therefore can be spread throughout the body via the lymph system.

It's a cancer originating from a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes and was named after Thomas Hodgkin, who first described abnormalities in the lymph system in 1832.

Hodgkins Disease was one of the first cancers which could be treated using radiation therapy and, later, it was one of the first to be treated by combination chemotherapy.

This disease shows two peaks: the first between th e ages of 15–35 and then in those over 55 years old. The survival rate is good and generally 90% or higher when the disease is detected during early stages, making it one of the more curable forms of cancer. Hodgkins disease is one of the handful of cancers that, even in its later stages, has a very high cure rate, in the 90's.

Most patients who are successfully treated usually go on to live long, normal lives, due to a remission success rate of 90% to 95%.

Once again, like all other cancers, early detection and treatment provide the best chances of recovery.

When Hodgkin's disease is diagnosed, a patient will be staged. They will undergo a series of tests and procedures which will determine what areas of the body are affected. This will include a physical examination, blood tests, chest X-ray radiographs, scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), scans of the chest, abdomen and pelvis, and a bone marrow biopsy.

After these test and examinations the disease will be classified on a staging basis.

Stage I is involvement of a single lymph node region

Stage II is involvement of two or more lymph node regions on the same side of the diaphragm

Stage III is involvement of lymph node regions on both sides of the diaphragm, which may include the spleen

Stage IV is disseminated involvement of one or more extralymphatic organs

The absence of systemic symptoms is signified by adding 'A' to the stage; the presence of systemic symptoms is signified by adding 'B' to the stage. For localized extranodal extension from mass of nodes which does not advance the stage, subscript 'E' is added.

Signs and symptoms:

Night Sweats

Painless enlargement of one or more lymph nodes. The nodes may also feel rubbery and swollen when examined. The nodes of the neck and shoulders (cervical and supraclavicular) are most frequently involved (80–90% of the time).

Swelling of the spleen.

Hepatomegaly: enlargement of the liver, due to liver involvement, is present in about five percent of cases.

Red-coloured patches on the skin, easy bleeding and petechiae due to low platelet count

Systemic symptoms: Low-grade fever, night sweats, itchy skin due to increased levels of eosinophils in the bloodstream or fatigue. These systemic symptoms are known and classified as B sympsoms.

By strenghtening the lymphatic & immune syetm, the chances of beating this disease are greatly improved.

The high cure rates and long survival of many patients with Hodgkins Disease has led to a high concern with adverse affects to treatment, including cardiovascular disease and second malignancies such as acute leukemias, lymphomas, and solid tumors within the radiation therapy field. Most patients with early stage disease are now treated with abbreviated chemotherapy and involved-field radiation therapy rather than with radiation therapy alone.

Clinical research strategies are exploring reduction of the duration of chemotherapy and dose and volume of radiation therapy and hospitals are also treating those who respond quickly to chemotherapy with no radiation.

Diet is extremely important and should be looked at and modified as soon as possible. Foods which inhibit immun responses, cause congestion and add waste produce to the body should be removed from the diet immediately and should be replaced by life giving foods and plenty of good quality water.

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