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Hodgkins Disease

Hodgkins Disease or Hodgkins Lymphoma is a type of lymphoma. Lymphoma is a cancer that starts in the lymphocytes. Hodgkin’s Disease is very rare only one percent of all types of cancer turn out to be Hodgkin’s according to the United States National Institutes of Health. Hodgkin’s Disease attacks the lymph nodes which are internal filters for any foreign particles that are formed in the white blood cells.

It is the lymphatic system that creates white blood cells called lymphocytes. These help protect the body against infection and other diseases like bacteria, viruses and even fungi. When the system is working properly the lymph nodes will become swollen and a sore to the touch. The lymphoma happens when the cells start to reproduce quickly and the body cannot stop it. It causes malignant cells to attack the tissues.

Hodgkins Disease was first discovered by Thomas Hodgkin’s in 1832, by all accounts Hodgkins Disease is determined by Reed Stemberg cells but it was named the first curable cancer by different combinations of chemotherapy. The most common group of people that this cancer will attack are young adults, people between the ages of 15 and 35 and those over 55. Hodgkin’s is more common in men than in women, except for the nodular sclerosis which is prevalent in women.

Classic Hodgkins Disease are classified in 2 different categories the Nodular Sclerosing CHL which is the most common class of the disease. It is a big tumor with RS cells and the second subtype is Mixed Cellularity is also common and is a mix of other RS cells that are included in inflammatory cells such as lymphocytes and plasma cells.

Hodgkins Disease can be broken down into 4 stages:

• Stage one
  involves one lymph node site in the body where it is contained.
• Stage two
  involves two or more sites where the cancer is located.
• Stage three
  involves has cancerous lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm including the Spleen and other organs.
• Stage four
  involves one or more extra lymphatic organs.

The good news is that as we mentioned Hodgkins Disease is very curable. The patient will have to undergo chemo and radiation therapy but there is hope. There are a few famous people who have Hodgkins Disease and live with it. Hockey Player Mario Lemieux and 7th Heaven actor Barry Watson to name a few.

There are several things that will factor in to the survival such as age, overall health and the progression are the most important factors. If you are diagnosed , do all of the research you can and ask your doctor a lot of questions, there is hope.

Cause of Hodgkins Disease

What are the Cause of Hodgkins Disease?