A cancer of the immune system that develops from abnormal B-cells. It causes enlarged lymph nodes without pain in neck, armpits or groin, fever, fatigue, night sweats, and weight loss.

Symptoms & Reports

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin, without pain
• Persistent fatigue
• Fever and/or chills
• Night sweats
• Unexplained and rapid weight loss
• Itching all over the body
• Increased sensitivity to the effects of alcohol or pain in the lymph nodes after drinking alcohol

Causes

• The causes include:
• Hodgkin’s lymphoma develops when the B-cell, an infection-fighting cell, undergoes a genetic change and starts multiplying rapidly
• This leads to the accumulation of large, abnormal B-cells in the body
• The risk factors include:
• Age: People in the age range 15-35 years, and people older than 55 years are at increased risk
• Family history
• Gender: Males are more likely to be affected
• Infection by Epstein-Barr virus or HIV

Prevention

• Avoid risk factors such as viral infections such as HIV by taking precautionary measures
• Eat a healthy, nutritious diet
• Exercise regularly

Screening Options available at JNCHRC

• Physical examination: Examining the body for enlarged lymph nodes, spleen, and liver.
• Complete blood count (CBC): To evaluate the number of RBC, WBC, platelets and their nature.
• CT scan: To get cross-sectional imaging and detect the swollen lymph nodes.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI of lymphoma to detect if it has spread to spinal cord or brain.
• Positron emission tomography (PET): To check for signs of lymphoma in different parts of the body.
• Biopsy: Lymph node biopsy to determine Hodgkin’s lymphoma and types of cells involved. Bone marrow biopsy to check for lymphoma.