What Is Hodgkin Lymphoma?
Cancer arising from B lymphocytes (type of white blood cell) is termed Hodgkin lymphoma.
Affects people mostly aged between 15 to 35 years but some around age 70 years also show signs of disease.
Family history, Epstein-Barr virus infection, immunosuppression due to medical conditions and medication use (eg, azathioprine, infliximab, and adalimumab) are some of the risk factors.
Microscopic examination of surgically removed lymph node is used for diagnosis of the disease.
Chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy is mostly used for the treatment. 90% of patients with classic Hodgkin lymphoma (both early-stage and advanced-stage disease) are cured. Autologous stem cell transplant is done for patients who do not respond to chemo/radiotherapy.
