Can anyone explain to me what exactly Hodgkin's Lymphoma is??

I got this from Wikipedia...





"Hodgkin's lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin's disease, is a type of lymphoma first described by Thomas Hodgkin in 1832. Hodgkin's lymphoma is characterized clinically by the orderly spread of disease from one lymph node group to another and by the development of systemic symptoms with advanced disease. Pathologically, the disease is characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. Hodgkin's lymphoma was one of the first cancers to be cured by radiation. Later it was one of the first to be cured by combination chemotherapy. The cure rate is about 93%, making it one of the most curable forms of cancer."





But I am not exactly sure what all of that means, so could anyone break it down for me in simpler terms??

Can anyone explain to me what exactly Hodgkin's Lymphoma is??
Hodgkin's Disease





Also called: Hodgkin's lymphoma





Hodgkin's disease is a type of lymphoma. Lymphoma is cancer of lymph tissue found in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and bone marrow. The first sign of Hodgkin's disease is often an enlarged lymph node. The disease can spread to nearby lymph nodes. Later it may spread to the lungs, liver or bone marrow. The cause is unknown.





Hodgkin's disease is rare. Symptoms include





painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin


fever and chills


night sweats


weight loss


loss of appetite


itchy skin





Doctors can diagnose Hodgkin's disease with a biopsy. This involves removing and examining a piece of tissue under a microscope. Treatment varies depending on how far the disease has spread and often includes radiation therapy or chemotherapy.





The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the more effective the treatment. In most cases, Hodgkin's disease can be cured.
Reply:I can try. Normal cells divide into like cells that have a purpose and divide in a controlled manner. Cancer cells are mutations of normal cells, and these abnormal cells have no purpose other than to take up needed nutrients and energy around them, causing healthy cells nearby to die. They also divide rapidly and continuously. Hodgkin's Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph system that typically starts in a lymph node(the lymph system includes lymph nodes, spleen, liver and vessels that contain lymph fluid; these structures work together to fight off infections and foreign bodies). The abnormal mutated cell that makes up this type of cancer is very large and has several nuclei. This cell is called a Reed-Sternberg cell. Monocytes (a white blood cell that fights infections) and macrophages also multiply unchecked with this type of cancer and help to destroy the lymph node. Eventually, the abnormal cells escape the lymph node, travel through the lymph system in a predictable pattern and cancer develops in other areas, such as the spleen, other nodes, liver, and lungs. Swelling of lymph nodes is usually the first symptom noticed and is usually painless. This type of cancer is thought to be caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, genetics, or exposure to toxins.


Hope this helps!

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