Hodgkin’s lymphoma is one of a group of cancers that are referred to as lymphomas. Lymphoma is a general term that is used for cancers that begin in your lymphatic system.
Your lymphatic system makes up a part of your body’s immune system. It aids your body in combating disease and infection.
Your lymphatic system is composed of a network of thin lymphatic vessels that branch, as your blood vessels do, into tissues throughout your body. Lymphatic vessels carry lymph, which is a colorless, watery fluid that contains infection-fighting cells that are known as lymphocytes.
Small organs that are called lymph nodes are located along this network of vessels. Clusters of these lymph nodes are situated in your groin, abdomen, chest, neck and underarms. Your tonsils, spleen, thymus and bone marrow are also a part of your lymphatic system. Lymphatic tissue is also found in your stomach, skin and intestines.
Your lymphatic system makes white blood cells that are called lymphocytes. These are important because they guard you from infectious invaders like bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Lymphoma occurs when your lymphocytes begin to multiply uncontrollably. They make malignant cells that have the abnormal ability to invade other tissues throughout your body.
Hodgkin’s lymphoma is one of the two main types of lymphoma. The other main type is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. These are classified according to some unique characteristics of the cancer cells in each form.
Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a rare kind of lymphoma. It accounts for only 1% of all the cases of cancer in the United States.
Many of the beginning signs and symptoms of Hodgkin’s lymphoma are like those of the flu. However, over a period of time, tumors will occur with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Other possible signs and symptoms include:
- Night sweats
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained recurrent chills and fevers
- Persistent fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss that can be as much as 10% or more of your body weight
- Itchy skin
- Painless swelling of the lymph nodes in your armpits, neck or groin.
It is important not to wait for pain before you see your doctor when signs and symptoms like these are ongoing. This is because early Hodgkin’s lymphoma may not cause you any pain. Many people with Hodgkin’s lymphoma do not exhibit the classic signs and symptoms of the disease.
You or a loved one may have Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Hodgkin’s lymphoma and/or complications that have resulted from it or other ailments that you have in addition to this disease may have brought about you or your loved one’s disability and inability to work.
If this is the case, you may need assistance. You may need financial help.








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