Both Hodgkin's disease (sometimes referred to as Hodgkin's lymphoma) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are cancers that originate in a type of white blood cell known as a lymphocyte, an important component of the body's immune system. Both of these malignancies may cause similar symptoms, but the conditions themselves are different. The distinction between Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is made upon examination of the cancerous material (from a biopsy or aspiration of the tumor tissue). The type of abnormal cells identified in the sample determines whether a lymphoma is classified as Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is much more common than Hodgkin's disease. In the United States, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is the sixth most common cancer among males and the fifth most common cancer among females. Furthermore, the incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been steadily increasing over the last decades. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is actually a heterogeneous group of over 30 types of cancers with differences in the microscopic appearance and biological characterization of the malignant lymphocytes. The different types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma also have differences in their biologic behavior (such as the tendency to grow aggressively) that affect a patient's overall outlook (prognosis).
Hodgkin's disease is much less common than non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and accounts for only about 1% of all cancers in the U.S. The incidence of this cancer has actually been declining in recent years, in contrast to the increases in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease is confirmed by visualizing tissue samples using a microscope. When a biopsy from the cancer contains a certain type of cell termed a Reed-Sternberg cell, the lymphoma is classified as Hodgkin's disease.
Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer that begins in cells of the immune system. The
immune system fights infections and other diseases.
The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. The lymphatic system
includes the following:
Lymph vessels: The lymphatic system has a network of lymph vessels.
Lymph vessels branch into all the tissues of the body.
Lymph: The lymph vessels carry clear fluid called lymph. Lymph contains
white blood cells, especially lymphocytes such as B cells and T cells.
Lymph nodes: Lymph vessels are connected to small, round masses of
tissue called lymph nodes. Groups of lymph nodes are found in the neck,
underarms, chest, abdomen, and groin. Lymph nodes store white blood cells.
They trap and remove bacteria or other harmful substances that may be in the
lymph.
Other parts of the lymphatic system: Other parts of the lymphatic system
include the tonsils, thymus, and spleen. Lymphatic tissue is also found in
other parts of the body including the stomach, skin, and small intestine.
Because lymphatic tissue is in many parts of the body, Hodgkin lymphoma can
start almost anywhere. Usually, it's first found in a lymph node above the
diaphragm, the thin muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. But
Hodgkin lymphoma also may be found in a group of lymph nodes. Sometimes it
starts in other parts of the lymphatic system.
Hodgkin Lymphoma Cells
Hodgkin lymphoma begins when a lymphocyte (usually a B cell) becomes
abnormal. The abnormal cell is called a Reed-Sternberg cell. (See photo below.)
The Reed-Sternberg cell divides to make copies of itself. The new cells
divide again and again, making more and more abnormal cells. The abnormal cells
don't die when they should. They don't protect the body from infections or other
diseases. The buildup of extra cells often forms a mass of tissue called a
growth or tumor.
See the Staging section for information about Hodgkin lymphoma that has
spread.
Hodgkin's Disease - Symptoms At Onset Of DiseaseQuestion: The symptoms of hodgkin's disease can vary greatly from patient to patient. What were your symptoms at the onset of your disease?
Night sweats are severe hot flashes that occur at night and result in a drenching sweat. In order to distinguish night sweats that arise from medical causes from those that occur because one's surroundings are too warm, doctors generally refer to true night sweats as severe hot flashes occurring at night that can drench sleepwear and sheets, which are not related to an overheated environment.
Leukemia is a type of cancer of the blood cells in which the growth and development of the blood cells are abnormal. Strictly speaking, leukemia should refer only to cancer of the white blood cells (the leukocytes) but in practice it can apply to malignancy of any cellular element in the blood or bone marrow, as in red cell leukemia (erythroleukemia).
Lymph nodes help the body's immune system fight infections. Causes of swollen lymph nodes (glands) may include infection (viral, bacterial, fungal, parasites). Symptoms of swollen lymph nodes vary greatly. They can sometimes be tender, painful or disfiguring. The treatment of swollen lymph nodes depends upon the cause.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV is a type of virus called a retrovirus, which infects humans when it comes in contact with a break in the skin or tissues such as those that line the vagina, anal area, mouth, or eyes.
Nausea is an uneasiness of the stomach that often precedes vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are not diseases, but they are symptoms of many conditions. The causes of vomiting differ according to age, and treatment depends upon the cause of nausea and vomiting.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system, a vital part of the body's immune system. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, coughing, weakness, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, and abdominal pain. Treatment depends on which type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma you have, the stage of the cancer, your age, how fast the cancer is growing, and whether you have other health problems.
Stress occurs when forces from the outside world impinge on the individual. Stress is a normal part of life. However, over-stress, can be harmful. There is now speculation, as well as some evidence, that points to the abnormal stress responses as being involved in causing various diseases or conditions.
Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degrees F. (37 degrees C.), in practice a person is usually not considered to have a significant fever until the temperature is above 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C.). Fever is part of the body's own disease-fighting arsenal: rising body temperatures apparently are capable of killing off many disease- producing organisms.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer which begins in skin cells called melanocytes and affects more than 53,600 people in the United States each year. These melanocytes can grow together to form benign moles which, after a change in size, shape, or color can be a sign of melanoma. Caused by sun exposure, early detection becomes extremely important to avoid a spread to other areas of the body. Diagnosis is confirmed through a biopsy of the abnormal skin and treatment depends on the extent and characteristics of the patient.
Chest pain is a common complaint by a patient in the ER. Causes of chest pain include broken or bruised ribs, pleurisy, pneumothorax, shingles, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, angina, heart attack, costochondritis, pericarditis, aorta or aortic dissection, and reflux esophagitis. Diagnosis and treatment of chest pain depends upon the cause and clinical presentation of the patient's chest pain.
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
Eye floaters are deposits or condensation that forms in the eye's vitreous humor. These deposits cast shadows on the retina, and as the eye moves, the deposits shift position, making it appear as though the shadows are moving or floating.
Though it's difficult to say why some people develop cancer while others don't, research shows that certain risk factors increase a person's odds of developing cancer. These risk factors include growing older, family history of cancer, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and exposure to sunlight, ionizing radiation, certain chemicals, and some viruses and bacteria.
Teenagers recognize that they are developmentally between child and adult. Teen health prevention includes maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, preventing injuries and screening annually for potential health conditions that could adversely affect teenage health.
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of an underlying disease and not a specific
illness. Nausea is the sensation that the stomach wants to empty itself, while
vomiting (emesis) or throwing up, is the act of forcible emptying of the
stomach.
Vomiting is a violent act in which the stomach has to overcome the pressures
that are normally in place to keep food and secretions within the stomach. The
stomach almost turns itself inside out - forcing itself into the lower portion
of the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach) during a
vomiting episode.
What causes nausea or vomiting?
There are numerous causes of nausea and vomiting. These symptoms may be due
to the following:
acute gastritis
central causes (signals from the brain)
association with other illnesses remote from the stomach
Both Hodgkin's disease (sometimes referred to as Hodgkin's lymphoma) and 
Cancer RSS
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