Hodgkin's Disease Information
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What is Hodgkin's Disease?
Hodgkin’s disease (also known as Hodgkin's lymphoma) is a type of cancer that develops from cells in the lymph system (part of the body's immune system) called lymphocytes (a subset of white blood cells responsible for immunity and fighting infections).
Named after the doctor who identified it in 1832 (Dr. Thomas Hodgkin), Hodgkin's disease is distinguished from the other lymphomas by the way it looks under a microscope, and by the way it grows and spreads. Unlike non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease is marked by the presence of an abnormal lymphocyte called the Reed-Sternberg cell (or B lymphocyte).
Hodgkin's disease is characterized by uncontrollable and random cell growth in the lymphatic system (i.e., lymph nodes, spleen, liver, tonsils, thymus, etc.). In Hodgkin’s disease, the pattern of spread is orderly, progressing from one group of lymph nodes to the next via the lymphatic vessels. Also, the disease rarely skips over an area of lymph nodes as it spreads.
Most often, Hodgkin’s disease starts in lymph nodes in the upper part of the body (in the chest, neck, or under the arms). The disease causes the lymphatic tissue to become enlarged and press on nearby structures.
Among cancers, Hodgkin's disease is considered rare, accounting for less than one percent of cancer cases in the United States. Although Hodgkin's disease can occur at any age, it is most common in early adulthood (ages 15 to 40) and late adulthood (after age 55).
Types of Hodgkin's Disease
The current classification system for Hodgkin’s disease is the WHO/REAL system (World Health Organization/Revised European American Lymphoma classification). The WHO system distinguishes lymphomas based on a number of characteristics, including the appearance of the cells, the chromosome features of the cells, and the presence of certain chemicals on the surface of the cells.
The two main types of Hodgkin’s disease are classical Hodgkin’s disease (which account for the majority of cases) and nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's disease. Each type grows and spreads in a different way. Classical Hodgkin's disease is divided into the following subtypes, all of which have Reed-Sternberg cells: nodular sclerosis Hodgkin's lymphoma, mixed cellularity Hodgkin's lymphoma, lymphocyte depletion Hodgkin's lymphoma, and lymphocyte-rich classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
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