The human body has a unique and elaborate defense system to protect it from invading pathogens. One component of this line of defense is the immune system. Lymph nodes are specialized regions where certain immune cells are matured. Hodgkin’s disease is a collective name for different cancers that begin their progression in lymph nodes.

Because of the prevalence and effect of Hodgkin’s disease on the quality of life of the patient, it is important to understand what it is and how can it be treated. Here is a comprehensive guide to understanding different aspects of the disease.

What are the causes of Hodgkin’s disease?
A clear cause of Hodgkin’s disease is not yet known, but several probable risk factors may cause it. There is a possible connection between the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and the development of Hodgkin’s disease. Genetic predisposition and HIV infection are other possible causes. In addition, immunocompromised individuals are more at risk of suffering from Hodgkin’s disease.

What age group is most affected by Hodgkin’s disease?
There seems to be a variation in this parameter, but it is more prevalent in the age group of 20 to 40 years and above 55 years. Men and women are equally prone to developing this disease.

What are the symptoms of Hodgkin’s disease?
As it progresses from the lymph nodes, the first symptom of Hodgkin’s disease is usually a swelling that may be painless or painful. In addition, the affected person may experience excessive fatigue, sudden weight loss, respiratory ailments, and enlargement of the spleen. As most of these symptoms are generalized, it is better to consult the doctor immediately after noticing a swollen lymph node.

How is Hodgkin’s disease diagnosed?
Accurate diagnosis of Hodgkin’s disease needs to be done by a biopsy of the lymph node. In addition, the doctor may ask for tests like a computed tomography (CT) scan and blood tests to determine the spread of the disease in the body. If tested positive, the patient will need to undergo further tests like a biopsy of the bone marrow to determine the stage of the disease.

What are the treatment strategies?
The treatment of Hodgkin’s disease depends on the stage at which it is diagnosed. Stage 1 is the mildest and stage 4 is the most severe stage of the disease. For stages 1 and 2, the first line of treatment is radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is used for stage 3 and stage 4. Sometimes, a combination of these two therapies may be required. Also, a second round of treatment is required if the disease resurfaces.

What is the success rate of treatment for Hodgkin’s disease?
The success of treatment relies largely on the stage at which the disease is diagnosed. If detected early, the treatment for the disease has up to 90% success rate. The probability of success decreases with late diagnoses, but there are several patients that have lived for many years following treatment at later stages, too.

Like with other cancers, early diagnosis is the key to treat Hodgkin’s disease successfully. Therefore, one should be very careful about the bodily changes that they go through. It is good to manually inspect the lymph nodes for any signs of swelling or lump formation. Any such change should be immediately discussed with the doctor.