When someone has Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the cancer cells grow out of control and crowd healthy white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes help the body fight infection and keep your immune system healthy. Your lymphatic fluid transports lymphocytes from your spleen, bone marrow and other organs to your lymph nodes, where they help fight infection.
The most common symptom of Hodgkin’s lymphoma is swelling in one or more of the many lymph nodes in your neck, armpit, groin and abdomen. These nodes are close to the surface of your skin and easy to feel. They’re not usually painful and often go away over a few months or years, but they can be very noticeable.
Swollen lymph nodes can be caused by a number of things, including the flu or another type of infection. They might also be a sign of another illness, like cancer or leukemia. If your lymph nodes swell, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and other information about your health, including any changes in your temperature or blood work. They will want to know whether any of the symptoms are severe enough to cause you concern. If your doctor suspects you have Hodgkin lymphoma, they’ll do a physical examination and refer you for further tests or scans to confirm the diagnosis.
They might use a CT or MRI scan to look for cancer cells that have spread outside your lymph nodes and into other areas of the body. They might also use a PET/CT scan to find out how well you are responding to treatment. They’ll tell you if you need more chemo or radiation therapy to try to kill the cancer and treat any side effects.
You’ll need to follow your treatment plan carefully, and your doctor will give you all the information you need to understand what’s happening and how you can take care of yourself. Talk with your doctor about what you can do if you have any questions or concerns, and be sure to keep all your medical appointments.
Your treatment plan will depend on the stage of your Hodgkin’s lymphoma and how far it has spread. Your doctor may recommend several different treatments for you, and they’ll work together to get the best results.
The most common treatment for early-stage disease is chemotherapy, followed by radiotherapy. Then, your doctor may decide to do a stem cell or bone marrow transplant if the treatment didn’t work.
Stem cell or bone marrow transplant is a way to replace your immune-suppressing lymphocytes with more healthy ones. This can help your body fight infections and slow or stop the progression of the cancer.
It’s important to remember that a successful treatment for lymphoma might not completely eliminate your symptoms, but it will reduce them and improve your quality of life. Some people are still able to live long, productive lives with a good outlook after treating their cancer.
