Hodgkin lymphoma isn't infectious and isn't thought to run in families. Although your risk is increased if a first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child) has had lymphoma, it's not clear if this is because of an inherited genetic fault or lifestyle factors.
People between the ages of 15 and 40 and people older than 55 are more likely to develop Hodgkin lymphoma. Gender. In general, men are slightly more likely to develop Hodgkin lymphoma than women, although the nodular sclerosis subtype is more common in women (see the Introduction). Family history.
Hodgkin lymphoma can develop at any age, but it mostly affects people between 20 and 40 years of age and those over 75. Slightly more men than women are affected. Around 2,100 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in the UK each year.
Who's affected? Hodgkin lymphoma can develop at any age, but it mostly affects young adults in their early 20s and older adults over the age of 70. Slightly more men than women are affected.
With lymphoma, the lymph nodes often grow slowly and may be there for months or years before they're noticed. But sometimes they grow very quickly. Usually, the swollen nodes don't hurt. But some people say their lumps ache or are painful.
The 5-year relative survival rate of people with localized Hodgkin lymphoma is 93%. If the cancer spreads regionally, the 5-year relative survival rate is 95%. If the cancer has spread to different parts of the body, the 5-year relative survival rate is 83%.
When symptoms do occur, a common early sign of Hodgkin lymphoma is swelling in one or more lymph nodes, usually in the neck. There are over 500 lymph nodes throughout the body, all connected through a network of lymph vessels. Clusters of lymph nodes can be found in the neck, armpits, groin, abdomen, pelvis and chest.
low-grade or indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma – where the cancer grows slowly and you may not experience any symptoms for many years.
Urgent referral to a specialist
night sweats. unexplained weight loss. itchy skin. shortness of breath or cough.
Blood tests alone cannot detect Hodgkin lymphoma. Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan. A CT scan takes pictures of the inside of the body using x-rays taken from different angles.
Swollen lymph nodes and a lump: One of the most common signs of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a swollen lymph node or nodes, which causes a non-painful lump under the skin. Most commonly, this occurs on the side of the neck, under the arm or in the groin region.
Itching caused by lymphoma can affect: areas of skin near lymph nodes that are affected by lymphoma. patches of skin lymphoma. your lower legs.
Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is unusual among human malignancies in that the epidemiology suggests an infectious aetiology. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with a proportion of cases and this association is believed to be causal.
Causes of lymphoma
Exposure to radiation and certain types of chemicals can put some people at higher risk. Benzene and some agricultural chemicals have been implicated; people exposed in the workplace, who can be at highest risk, should follow occupational health guidelines to minimise exposure.
The most common early symptom of lymphoma is one or more swollen lymph nodes, often in the groin, armpit, and side of the neck. Other symptoms may include: fevers, chills, and night sweats.
Blood Tests for Lymphoma
Blood tests are essential to accurately diagnosing this complex disease. These tests can show whether you have lymphoma cells or abnormal levels of normal cells: Blood smear: We take a drop of blood and look at it under a microscope.
Cancer-related fatigue is exhaustion that's at a much higher level than would usually be expected – you might feel tired very quickly after doing quite little. It can be physical, emotional or mental exhaustion.
Biopsy: A biopsy is a common diagnostic test for Hodgkin lymphoma. Our pathologists will take the cells from a biopsy sample and examine them under a microscope to look for the presence of abnormal lymphocytes called the Reed-Sternberg cell.
The most common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is one or more enlarged (swollen) lymph nodes. The enlarged lymph node may be in the neck, upper chest, armpit, abdomen or groin. The swollen lymph node is usually painless.
Around 90 out of 100 people (around 90%) will survive their Hodgkin lymphoma for 5 years or more after diagnosis.
Overall, treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma is highly effective and most people with the condition are eventually cured.
The survival rate of stage 4 lymphoma is lower than that of the other stages, but doctors can cure the condition in some cases. People with a diagnosis of stage 4 lymphoma should discuss their treatment options and outlook with their doctor.