Hodgkin Disease

Hodgkin disease is a malignant lymphoid tumor; starts in one node group, spreads to other nodes/extranodal organs/tissues; common in adolescents. Clinical: fever, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue, anemia, pruritus, thickening, desquamation, infection, back pain, hepatosplenomegaly, lymph-node enlargement. Hodgkin lymphoma (formerly Hodgkin disease/sarcoma) is a malignancy of lymphocytes; named after Thomas Hodgkin (1832). Starts in one node group then spreads; histology = malignant Reed-Sternberg cells. Chemo/radiation/bone marrow transplant now make it curable.

Common Symptoms

Herpes; weight loss; anorexia; night sweats; abdominal pain; thrombocytopenia; low fever; nausea

Causes and Pathogenesis

Etiology unknown; EBV most studied (EBV genome in RS cells of ~50%). Immunodeficiency/autoimmune disease increases risk. Monozygotic twin siblings of HL patients have 99x risk (shared genetic susceptibility/immune abnormality).

Treatment

Drug, supportive therapy

Preventive Measures

Avoid causative factors. (1) Prevent viral infection (EBV, HTLV-1, HIV); prevent colds in spring/autumn. (2) Avoid radiation/toxins (benzene, vinyl chloride, rubber, arsenic, gasoline, solvents). (3) Treat immunodeficiency/post-transplant/post-chemo states (GVHD/immunosuppressants activate viruses). (4) Long-term survivors: annual chest/breast exams for second malignancies. (5) Optimism + exercise. (6) High-risk: early diagnosis/treatment; comprehensive care including nutrition, central venous TPN, blood products; watch TB/fungal/HCV/CMV infections.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Hematology department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.