Hodgkin's disease is the name of a cancer of the lymph gland tissue that is colloquially called lymph gland cancer . The disease is also called "Hodgkin lymphoma", "Hodgkin disease" or "lymphogranulomatosis" and should not be confused with non-Hodgkin lymphoma . Under this name, experts summarize all lymph cancers that are not part of the Hodgkin diseases.
All lymphomas have in common that in those affected
the lymph cells, which belong to the white blood cells,
degenerate. Hodgkin's disease is named after its discoverer, the British
doctor Sir Thomas Hodgkin, who first described
lymphogranulomatosis in 1832.
Hodgkin's disease mainly affects adults between the
ages of 20 and 30 or over 65 years of age. Lymph gland cancer can also
occur in children. Every year a little more than 2,000 people fall ill in
Germany. This means that Hodgkin's lymphoma is comparatively rare: this tumor of the lymphatic system
only accounts for 0.4 percent of all cancers.
Hodgkin's disease: the symptoms
The main symptom of Hodgkin's disease is swollen lymph nodes, especially on the
neck. Occasionally, the lymph nodes in the groin or under the armpits or
those in the chest or abdomen are also affected. However, this swelling is
not painful - unlike, for example, with many infections. The following
symptoms can occur in addition to the lymph node swelling in Hodgkin's disease:
- Severe itching all over the body
- fever
- Night sweats
- fatigue
- Decreased efficiency
- Feeling weak
- Alcohol pain, i.e. the lymph nodes hurt after drinking alcohol
- Enlargement of the liver
- Enlargement of the spleen
- Upper abdominal pain
- Pressure in the chest
- Indigestion
Another alarm signal is weight loss for which there
is no reason. A doctor should definitely clarify such signs. If he
suspects that a patient has Hodgkin lymphoma, he will, among other things,
analyze certain blood values (see diagnosis ).
Hodgkin's disease: life expectancy
The prognosis for Hodgkin's disease patients is
better today than ever. In 95 percent of cases, doctors
can cure the disease. Even if the lymph gland cancer has already reached
an advanced stage, a cure is possible. Nevertheless, the earlier doctors
discover Hodgkin's disease, the more optimistic the prognosis.
The life expectancy and
the success of the treatment will depend on what stage doctors detect the
disease and whether a patient brings certain risk factors involved in
the treatment can lead to complications. Most people with
Hodgkin's disease progress slowly, which increases the chances of recovery.
Hodgkin's disease: the diagnosis
In the case of lymph nodes that have swollen for
weeks for no apparent reason - if there is no acute infection - a doctor should
definitely clarify the symptoms. He will first inquire about the general
condition, ask about fever or tiredness, and then palpate the lymph nodes,
liver and spleen.
A blood test is important in
diagnosing Hodgkin's disease . The blood values get mixed up in
lymph gland cancer because the degenerated cells displace the normal cells of
the blood. The blood count shows anemia, a lack of
platelets and immune cells, and sometimes increased inflammation. The
experts can also examine the surface of the blood cells in the laboratory.
If the blood values are
abnormal, further
examination methods should follow:
- Taking a tissue sample from the lymph nodes ( biopsy )
- X-rays
- An ultrasound scan
- A computed tomography (CT)
- Examination of the bone marrow
Once
the diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease has been made, the doctor assigns the
disease to a specific stage based on all the test results
(“staging”). Therapy is based on this classification.
Hodgkin's
disease: the therapy
As with all cancers, doctors create
an individual
treatment plan for the therapy of patients with Hodgkin
lymphoma . The
aim is to destroy the cancerous tissue and thus cure the
disease. Treatment usually includes chemotherapy , radiation, or both. Antibody therapy is also used
today.
- Chemotherapy: a treatment with
drugs that inhibit the further division and thus reproduction of cancer
cells.
- Irradiation: local destruction of
cancer cells by strong X-rays from a linear accelerator.
- Antibody therapy: Treatment with
artificial antibodies that draw the immune system's attention to the
degenerated cells so that the body can help itself.
The
side effect of chemotherapy can be serious. Radiation is also associated
with undesirable side effects. Whatever the individual therapy plan,
however, the chances of recovery from Hodgkin's disease are very
good. Almost all patients get well again.
Hodgkin's
disease: the course
It is not known why Hodgkin's disease
develops. Genetic features or an infection with the Epstein-Barr virus
( glandular fever ) may increase the risk of this type
of tumor. Depending on how far the diseases has progressed at diagnosis,
the doctor assigns Hodgkin disease to a certain stage.
There are four different stages:
- Stage I: Only one lymph node region
is involved.
- Stage II: lymph nodes from two or
more regions, but only on one side of the diaphragm, are affected.
- Stage III: Lymph nodes from two or
more regions on either side of the diaphragm are affected.
- Stage IV: In addition to the lymph
nodes, organs are already affected.
If
there is no treatment, the degenerated cells spread further and further in the
body and can affect any organ. If left untreated, Hodgkin's disease goes
through all stages - and then ends fatally. However, if the therapy is
given in good time, the patient's chances of survival are very good.
Sometimes Hodgkin's disease comes back
after successful therapy. Doctors then speak of a relapse . If
patients have survived the first five years of treatment without relapse,
relapse is unlikely.