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Hodgkin's
disease, also known as Hodgkin's lymphoma, is a rare type
of white-blood-cell cancer in the lymphoid tissue. The lymphoid
tissue is in the lymph nodes and spleen. It is part of the
immune system, which supplies the body with antibodies and
white blood cells to fight infection. The spleen removes
and destroys old red blood cells and helps fight infection.
It is located behind the stomach on the lower left side
of the rib cage.
Hodgkin's
disease can strike at any age, but most commonly it affects
children and young adults.
How
does it occur?
The
cause of Hodgkin's disease is unknown. If not treated, the
cancerous white blood cells can spread throughout the lymphatic
system and to other organs. Tumors may then grow and interfere
with normal bodily functions.
What
are the symptoms?
The
symptoms of Hodgkin's disease include:
-
painless
enlargement of lymph nodes
-
weakness
and fatigue
-
fever
-
loss
of appetite and weight loss
-
night
sweats
-
itching
-
abdominal
pain after drinking alcohol or loss of taste for alcohol.
How
is it diagnosed?
Your
doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history
and do a physical exam. He or she may order some tests such
as blood tests, biopsies, and x-rays or scans of parts of
your body.
What
is the treatment?
Hodgkin's
disease is divided into stages, depending on the number
of lymph nodes and other organs affected by the cancer.
Treatment will vary according to the stage of the disease.
The
two main treatments for Hodgkin's disease are radiation
and chemotherapy. High doses of radiation may be directed
toward the part of the body with the cancer. Radiation can
kill cancer cells. In chemotherapy, anti-cancer drugs are
used to kill cancer cells.
How
long will the effects last?
Hodgkin's
disease can be cured in many cases. When treatment begins
in the early stages, radiation therapy can cure 80% to 90%
of people. When the disease is detected in its later stages,
the combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy cures
about 40% of people.
How
can I take care of myself?
Follow
the full course of treatment your doctor prescribes.
If
you have a fever above 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), stay
in bed. After your temperature has fallen below 100 degrees
F (37.8 degrees C), become as active as you comfortably
can. Ask your doctor if you can take aspirin or acetaminophen
to control your fever.
Learn
about the side effects you may have from radiation or chemotherapy.
It may help to be prepared for severe or distressing side
effects, such as baldness. Usually your hair grows back,
however, when therapy stops.
If
possible, join a cancer support group during your illness
and recovery.
Avoid
unproven cancer treatments without discussing these with
your doctor. Besides costing money, "quack cures" may delay
possible life-saving treatment.
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