Hodgkin lymphoma

Lymphoma is often difficult to diagnose as the symptoms are similar to those of a virus.
Symptoms may include:

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck under the arms or groin
• Regular and frequent fevers
• Excessive sweating, usually at night and often drenching
• Weight loss
• Persistent fatigue and lack of energy
• Generalised itching

There is no known single, or specific, cause of lymphoma. The risk increases slightly in some patients with chronic infections, autoimmune diseases such as coeliac disease, or rheumatoid diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. People who have received long courses of chemotherapy or radiation for other diseases may also have increased risk of lymphoma.

Immuno-deficiency or deficiency of the immune system which has been inherited, or caused by viruses such as the AIDS virus or Epstien-Barr virus, is also a risk factor in developing lymphoma. However, apart from highly-specialised circumstances, there is no specific infectious cause and there are no known substances that cause lymphoma.

If lymphoma is suspected a blood test will be carried out to check for any abnormalities. This test might indicate an underlying malignant (cancerous) blood disease. It also gives a blood cell count and is useful for providing information on the likely behaviour of the lymphoma as well as how the kidneys and liver are functioning.

Diagnosis is confirmed following a lymph-node biopsy. This involves removing a lymph node or sample tissue to be examined in the laboratory. This will determine whether lymphoma is present and whether it is low, intermediate or high grade. The lymphoma may occupy only one area in the body (stage 1) or it may have spread throughout the body (up to stage 4). The person’s age, general medical condition and whether the lymphoma is low, intermediate or high grade will all have an affect on the prognosis. Staging is the final step in determining the appropriate treatment plan but often a second series of tests are carried out before this happens. Testing can take a number of forms and includes:

• Additional blood tests
• A lumbar puncture – fluid is taken from the spine to test whether the lymphoma involves the brain or spine.
• A bone marrow biopsy – Taking a sample from the hipbone to determine if there are cancer cells in the bone marrow.
• A CT scan – a painless radiology procedure where pictures of the chest, abdomen and other parts of the body are fed into a computer to show a detailed view of the body. A special liquid may be given before the test to help outline the abdomen and occasionally injections are given into a vein to outline different organs. People usually lie on their back for about ten minutes during the scan.
• A MRI Scan – MRI uses magnet and radio waves to produce a detailed 3D image of part of your body
• A PET scan – PET scanning uses radioactive glucose which is injected into a vein in your hand or arm. Special cameras are then used to detect areas in the body affected by lymphoma.

Some types of lymphoma grow very slowly and do not need treating for a long time, if at all. Treatment for each person is determined by factors such as age, general health, type of lymphoma and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.

The aim of treatment is to destroy as many cancerous cells as possible and bring the disease into remission. There are a number of treatments that can be used to do this, but the main ones are chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a stem cell transplant.

For more information on treatments visit here.