What is Hodgkin Lymphoma?

Hodgkin Lymphoma is a form of cancer affecting white blood cells. Cells called ‘Reed-Sternberg’ cells are the hallmark of this disease. These cells are cancerous white blood cells. Often the cancer starts in a lymph node and spreads to other lymph nodes and parts of the immune system such as the bone marrow; it can affect organs such as the lungs or liver. A common first symptom of the disease is swollen lymph nodes in the neck. It is a rare form of cancer over all but is common in younger people especially in those under 30. It is more common in people whose immune systems are not working properly; this includes people with AIDS and people taking immunosuppressant drugs.

Prevalence

Hodgkin disease affects around 1400 people a year in the UK and around 300 people die of it. Treatment of this disease is arduous but successful, with 5 and 10 year survival rates of over 80%. There is no screening programme for Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Amended February 2009