Hodgkin lymphoma, an uncommon cancer of the lymphatic system (malignant lymphoma) that usually strikes young adults and people 55 years of age or older. Most patients can be cured if the disease is detected in its early stages, but even those with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma have a significant chance of recovery. The long-term survival rate is more than 80 percent.
In its early stages the disease is characterized by local painless swelling of one or more lymph nodes and sometimes by swelling of the spleen, liver, or other organs. In addition to swollen lymph nodes, symptoms may include fever, night sweats, increased sensitivity to alcohol, and itching followed later by weight loss and fatigue. A microscopic examination of affected tissue, usually obtained from a lymph node, is required to confirm diagnosis.
The cause of Hodgkin lymphoma remains unknown, but numerous infectious agents, including bacteria, protozoa, and viruses, have been suggested. Previous infection with the Epstein-Barr virus, the causative agent of mononucleosis, has been linked to many cases of Hodgkin lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphomas develop from Blymphocytes. Treatment consists of chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of both, depending on the stage of development of the disease.
The disease is named after Thomas Hodgkin, who first described it in 1832.
Hodgkin lymphoma ni aina ya kansa ya mfumo wa lymphatic ambayo kwa kawaida huathiri watu wazima vijana na watu wenye umri wa miaka 55 au zaidi. Kwa kawaida, ugonjwa wa Hodgkin huweza kupona ikiwa unagunduliwa katika hatua za mapema, lakini hata wale walio na ugonjwa wa Hodgkin lymphoma wenye hatua za juu wana nafasi kubwa ya kupona. Kiwango cha kuishi kwa muda mrefu ni zaidi ya asilimia 80. Katika hatua zake za mapema, ugonjwa huo huonyesha uvimbe wa moja au zaidi ya kibofu cha limfu, na nyakati nyingine uvimbe wa matumbo, ini, au viungo vingine. Mbali na kuvimba kwa kibofu cha lymph, dalili za ugonjwa huo zaweza kutia ndani homa, kuota jasho usiku, kuongezeka kwa hisia za kileo, na kukohoa, na baadaye kupoteza uzito na uchovu. Uchunguzi wa darubini wa tishu iliyoathiriwa, ambao kwa kawaida hupatikana kutoka kwa kibofu cha limfu, huhitajiwa ili kuthibitisha utambuzi. Kisababishi cha Hodgkin lymphoma hakijulikani, lakini vimedokezwa kuwa kuna vimelea vingi, kutia ndani bakteria, protozoa, na virusi. Ugonjwa wa Epstein-Barr, ambao ni chanzo cha mononucleosis, umehusianishwa na maambukizi mengi ya Hodgkin lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphomas hutokea kutoka kwa Blymphocytes. Matibabu hutia ndani tiba ya kemikali, radiation, au mchanganyiko wa matibabu hayo mawili, ikitegemea hatua ya ugonjwa huo. Ugonjwa huo ulipewa jina la Thomas Hodgkin, ambaye aliuelezea kwa mara ya kwanza mwaka wa 1832.