Overview of Hodgkin Lymphoma

Study Notes

Overview of Hodgkin Lymphoma

Symptoms

Symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma may vary depending on the location and size of the affected lymph nodes. Common symptoms include painless swelling in the neck, underarm, or groin areas, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, and fever.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma typically involves physical examination, medical history review, imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs, and laboratory tests such as blood counts and biopsy of the affected lymph node.

Treatment Options

First-line treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma often consist of a combination of ABVD chemotherapy and radiation therapy, resulting in cure rates of approximately 80%. Second-line treatments often involve more intense therapies, such as high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Recent advances include antibody-drug conjugates and immunomodulatory drugs, which have shown promising results in clinical trials.

Prognosis

The prognosis of Hodgkin lymphoma varies depending on the stage and subtype of the disease. Approximately 80% of patients can be cured with first-line treatment, while about 20% may require additional therapies. The prognosis for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma has improved with the introduction of antibody drug conjugates and immunomodulatory drugs.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for developing Hodgkin lymphoma include genetic predisposition, Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection, immune suppression due to HIV or other medications, male sex, and exposure to certain environmental pollutants.

Description

Learn about the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, prognosis, and risk factors associated with Hodgkin lymphoma. Understand how first-line treatments like ABVD chemotherapy and radiation therapy, as well as recent advances in immunotherapy, play a crucial role in managing the disease.