Hodgkin's lymphoma
Hodgkin's lymphoma is a disease with a higher risk for men than for women. However, currently the survival rate is much more encouraging for both sexes, thanks to the effectiveness of new treatments. At Panama Cancer Clinic you will find innovative methods and highly qualified specialists.
Hodgkin's lymphoma also requires oncology care
Although Hodgkin's lymphoma does not explicitly carry the name cancer, it is unfortunately a cancerous disease that attacks the lymphatic system and as such, should receive treatment very similar to other types of cancer. Our oncology team has the preparation and experience necessary to achieve remission of the disease.
Statistics show that 8 out of 10 patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma are able to overcome the disease by receiving appropriate treatment.
Lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels extend throughout the human body, so knowing the location of the lymphoma is essential to treat it correctly.
Diagnosis and Staging
Our oncology team studies each case individually to offer personalized alternatives that are most effective for the patient depending on the stage of the disease.
General Welfare
Suffering from a malignant pathology can be overwhelming for any person; the oncology psychologists at our center will help you prepare yourself physically and mentally to go through the different stages of treatment.
The Specialist
Panama Cancer Clinic has a medical staff made up of outstanding specialists who work tirelessly on behalf of cancer patients.
What is Hodgkin's lymphoma?
Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of cancer of the lymphatic system in which white blood cells or lymphocytes grow rapidly and uncontrollably, causing the lymph nodes to undergo changes, become inflamed and malignant tumors to appear in different parts of the body.
In a disease such as Hodgkin's lymphoma, the lymph nodes receive the most damage. Later, the disease can spread to other parts of the lymphatic system such as the spleen, thymus and bone marrow. The lymphatic system is a key part of the immune system, which is in charge of defending the human body from infections, viruses, bacteria and diseases through the production of white blood cells.
Stages of Hodgkin's lymphoma
The stages of Hodgkin's lymphoma are:
Stage I:
Lymphoma is present in only one lymph node area or lymphoid organ (example: the thymus).
Stage II:
Lymphoma has manifested in two or more lymph node regions on the same side of the body, which may be above or below the diaphragm (e.g. neck and axilla).
Stage III:
Lymphoma is affecting organs of the lymphatic system and lymph nodes located above and below the diaphragm (e.g. neck and groin).
Stage IV:
The lymphoma has spread outside the lymphatic system (e.g. to the liver, lungs or bone marrow).
Symptoms of Hodgkin's lymphoma
Among the most representative symptoms of Hodgkin's lymphoma we can mention:
Swollen (not painful) lymph nodes, especially those in the groin, neck and armpits.
Lymph nodes may become painful after consuming alcoholic beverages.
Tiredness and permanent fatigue.
Fever and chills.
Excessive night sweating.
Unreasonable weight loss.
Intense and unexplained itching throughout the body.
Cough or shortness of breath caused by swollen lymph nodes in the chest.
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Screening tests
The diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma begins with a physical examination where the patient's symptoms, history and general health are evaluated; the specialist will then perform blood tests and imaging tests (X-rays and/or CT scans) to identify any hidden signs of lymphoma within the body.
Occasionally, the physician may recommend a lymph node biopsy or bone marrow aspiration to thoroughly analyze the sample and obtain a definitive diagnosis of cancer.
Risk factors for Hodgkin's lymphoma
Risk factors directly related to the occurrence of Hodgkin's lymphoma are:
Age:
The disease usually appears between the ages of 20 and 30, as well as after the age of 50.
Family history:
Having a degree of consanguinity with a Hodgkin's lymphoma patient increases your propensity to suffer from the same disease.
Sex:
As mentioned at the beginning, men are more prone to Hodgkin's lymphoma than women (the reason for this is unknown).
Previously contracted infections:
People with HIV or other infectious diseases such as Epstein-Barr virus are at higher risk than the rest of the population.
Treatments for Hodgkin's lymphoma
Treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma focuses on eliminating most of the malignant cells produced by the disease, so that in the near future the patient can achieve complete remission.
In order to choose the treatment to be used in each case, the oncologist must evaluate the type of lymphoma, its stage, the patient's health status and preferences. In this sense, the treatment may include one or more of the options mentioned below:
Chemotherapy
Treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma usually begins with chemotherapy, which has shown great results and in many cases is the only method necessary to cure the disease. In more complex situations, chemotherapy can be combined with radiotherapy; both can even be combined with targeted therapy to increase the effect in patients with nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Radiotherapy
In chemotherapy, strong intravenous drugs are administered to eliminate malignant cells that may have remained after surgery. It is important to evaluate the side effects that chemotherapy may have on the cancer patient's sperm production. The radiation beams of radiation therapy are specifically focused on the area of the affected lymph nodes and the areas around them to prevent the disease from spreading. Like chemotherapy, radiation therapy can be given alone or in conjunction with other cancer treatments.
Bone marrow transplant
Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation is often used when lymphoma symptoms have returned or when chemotherapy and radiation therapy have not worked to eradicate the cancer. During this procedure, the specialist replaces the damaged bone marrow with new stem cells obtained from the same patient (autologous transplant) or from an external donor (allogeneic transplant) to achieve the development of healthy bone marrow.
Other pharmacological treatments
Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are also among the options for treating Hodgkin's lymphoma. Both methods use medications and other special drugs to fight the malignant cells; however, their effectiveness depends on multiple factors that must be assessed particularly during oncology consultations.
Complications
Complications of Hodgkin's lymphoma do not arise from the disease itself but from the treatment you have received. In the long term, the side effects of the drugs administered or the transplant may trigger:
Graft-versus-host disease (allogeneic transplant) or other diseases such as: leukemia, pulmonary or coronary problems, stem cell failure, among others.
Infection.
Infertility.
Emergence of new forms of cancer.
Thyroid uncontrolled.
