Hodgkin's disease

Hodgkin's disease has another name - lymphogranulomatosis. It develops in the lymphatic system (parts of the body's immune system). Of all cases of cancer, it is only one percent.

The basic unit of the body is considered to be a cell. To understand this disease, it is necessary to know what the cells are, what happens to them when they become malignant. The body is built of different kinds of cells, which, as necessary, grow, divide. If the process fails, it affects the body. Cells can continue to share when there is no longer any need. So unnecessary, additional fabrics are created. It is these tissues that are called tumors. These tumors, in turn, are both benign and malignant.

With lymphogranulomatosis cells are divided incorrectly, quickly and uncontrollably. And since lymphatic tissue is present in most parts of the body, Hodgkin's disease can also appear in many places. It can take its beginning in the lymph node (or group), for example, in the spleen or the brain (bone). This type of cancer spreads quickly, from one lymph node to another. For example, Hodgkin's disease, which originated in the cervical nodes, passes to the knots of the collarbone, then to the lymph nodes of the hands, breasts, etc.

The causes of Hodgkin's disease are still unknown. It is precisely known that the disease is not caused by injuries, the disease is not infectious (which means that the other is not transmitted). In the study of cancer samples, there were presumed conclusions about the risk factors.

• Sex / age - occurs more often in men between 15 and 35 years;
  Predisposition family - in blood relatives the risk of development is much higher;
  Viruses - the impetus for development may be the Epstein-Barr virus.

Hodgkin's disease. Symptoms

• Lymph nodes of the neck and groin are enlarged;
• fever;
• Increased sweating;
• Weight is lost;
• Itching.

However, the presence of such symptoms is not a confirmation of the disease, because they can talk about other diseases. If symptoms persist, consult a physician. Do not wait for the appearance of pain - in the early stages it may be absent.

If a patient is suspected of having Hodgkin's disease, the patient is obligatorily sent for examination. Lymph nodes are examined in more detail, a blood test is performed, internal organs are examined.

An important role is given to biopsy (examination of tissue under a microscope).
If a biopsy suddenly shows the presence of a suspected disease, the doctor examines the stage and determines the degree of the disease. It is necessary to find out whether the cancer is spreading and, if so, to which part of the body. The treatment depends on these results.

To determine the stage, we consider:

• Affected lymph nodes, their number and location;
• Whether the disease is outside the lymphatic system, or has spread to the bone marrow.

Additional lymph node and tissue biopsies may be required.

Treatment

Treatment is planned by the doctor for each patient individually, taking into account the conducted examinations and the results of the analyzes. Depends on the treatment of the stage of development, symptoms, size of enlarged lymph nodes, age and, of course, the general condition of the patient. If the patient is vaccinated against pneumonia, meningitis or influenza, he should notify the doctor. Several different specialists participate in the treatment (oncologist, surgeon, etc.). When the disease is shown, radiation therapy, chemotherapy. Only the doctor will determine whether one method or combination will be used. In addition, transplantation of stem cells, bone marrow, biotherapy is possible.

The adverse reaction to treatment depends on the intensity of the activities carried out and the individual characteristics of the patient.