Hodgkin's lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin's disease, is a malignant disease of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system consists of organs and tissues; it includes the lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, tonsils, bone marrow, spleen, and thymus (thymus gland). These tissues produce, store, or carry white blood cells called lymphocytes, whose job is to fight infection and disease.

All over the world there is a steady increase in the incidence of this group of pathologies. Approximately 6,000 to 7,000 new cases of Hodgkin's lymphoma are diagnosed each year in the United States. About 10-15% of cases occur in children and adolescents. About 1,500 newly diagnosed cases of malignant pathologies of lymphatic and hematopoietic tissues are registered annually in Kazakhstan. In the structure of morbidity, tumors of the lymphatic system and the blood system occupy the 7th place.

Causes of Hodgkin's lymphoma and risk factors:

The exact cause of Hodgkin's lymphoma is not known. But disease begins when an infection-fighting cell called a lymphocyte develops a genetic mutation. The mutation causes the cell to multiply rapidly and uncontrollably, which leads to the accumulation of large numbers of abnormal lymphocytes in the lymphatic system, where they crowd out healthy cells and cause the signs and symptoms of Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Risk factors:

Age: In childhood, Hodgkin's lymphoma most often occurs in adolescents 15 to 19 years of age, and the disease is also more common in young adults or adults over 50 years of age.

Viral infections: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Weakened immunity: A person with a weakened immune system is more likely to develop Hodgkin's lymphoma. Immunodeficiency can be caused by a hereditary disease, drugs that suppress the immune system, or the presence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Family history: Hodgkin's lymphoma in the immediate family (sibling, or parent) slightly increases the risk of developing this disease.

Symptoms:

The most common symptom of the disease is a painless enlargement of one or more lymph nodes without previous infection.

Symptoms resulting from pressure from enlarged lymph nodes on nearby organs or structures. These may include cough, shortness of breath, abdominal pain or swelling, Horner's syndrome (a neurological problem affecting the face and eyes due to nerve damage in the neck), asymmetrical swelling of the arms and/or legs;

Fever, constant or alternating with periods of normal temperature, usually occurring in the late afternoon and rarely exceeding 38 degrees;

Profuse night sweats;

Unexplained weight loss (more than 10% of body weight without diet);

Fatigue, general weakness;

Skin itching;

Pain in the lymph nodes after drinking alcohol.

Symptoms of fever, profuse night sweats, and weight loss (or "B-symptoms") occur in up to 30% of people with Hodgkin's lymphoma and are usually seen in the more advanced stages of the disease.

Diagnostics:

The diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma can only be made by excisional biopsy (removal) of an identified enlarged lymph node/lesion, followed by histological and immunological studies. These studies are critical to the diagnosis of lymphoma. If a biopsy confirms the presence of Hodgkin's lymphoma, further testing is required to determine the extent or stage of the disease. Examinations include PET/CT examinations of the bone marrow.

Doctor's recommendations:

The main prevention of the disease is to give up bad habits, such as smoking, alcohol abuse. You should also avoid contact with cancer-causing chemicals whenever possible.

If you have any of the above symptoms or want to be examined and find out about your health, you can contact the Call Center at 8(7172)702-911.