Hodgkin Disease (HD)

Overview 

Hodgkin disease (HD) is a lymphoma in which the cells generally collect in the lymph nodes of the neck, underarm, or groin. The disease usually moves from one node to another, and cells may migrate to the spleen or liver. HD was one of the first cancers cured with chemotherapy. HD most commonly affects young adults between the ages of 15-40 and adults older than 55. However, young children can develop HD; in children under age 16, it is more common in boys than girls.

Causes

The causes of Hodgkin disease are unknown. However, the disease is associated with certain risk factors that cannot be changed. People who have had infectious mononucleosis (“mono”) are four times greater than other people to develop Hodgkin disease. People whose immune systems are not working properly—those who have had organ transplants or who have AIDS, for example—also are at higher risk for the disease. Also, some families have a higher-than-average incidence of HD. Because scientists do not know what causes the disease, at this time nothing can be done to prevent it.

Incidence

The American Cancer Society estimates that 8,220 new cases of Hodgkin disease (HD—also called Hodgkin lymphoma) will be diagnosed in 2008.

Signs & Symptoms

Early symptoms may include weakness, fatigue, weight loss without dieting, easy bruising, night sweats, paleness, and enlarged lymph nodes and/or liver and spleen.