What is Hodgkin lymphoma?

Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of lymphoma cancer of lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that circulate throughout the blood and bone marrow. White blood cells are responsible for controlling a person’s immune system and fighting off infections.

Lymphocytes are commonly found within the main part of the body’s “drainage” system called lymph nodes, as well as in other kinds of body tissue. Therefore, many people diagnosed with lymphoma will have the disease in more than one area of the body.

Hodgkin lymphoma differs from non-Hodgkin lymphoma because it has a specific kind of abnormal lymphocyte called a Reed-Sternberg cell. However, Reed-Sternberg cells make up only a small part of a Hodgkin lymphoma tumor, and the rest of the tumor is made of normal lymphocytes, which can cause inflammation.

If your doctor suspects you have Hodgkin lymphoma, he or she will recommend a surgical biopsy rather than a needle biopsy to make a diagnosis. This is because the characteristic Reed-Sternberg cells may be missed within a smaller tissue sample. There are approximately 7,800 new cases of Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosed in the United States each year.

Types of Hodgkin’s disease

There are two main types of Hodgkin lymphoma:

Symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma

The most common sign of Hodgkin lymphoma is enlarged lymph nodes. However, swollen lymph nodes are not specific to Hodgkin lymphoma. Swollen lymph nodes can occur in other kinds of lymphoma, other cancers or inflammatory diseases with infections. Other signs and symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma include:

  • Night sweats
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Low energy level
  • Cough or shortness of breath

What are the risk factors of Hodgkin lymphoma?

Though the cause of Hodgkin lymphoma is not completely clear, there may be some risk factors that increase a person’s risk of developing Hodgkin lymphoma.

Risk factors include:

  • Age: Hodgkin lymphoma most commonly affects people aged 20 to 30, and older adults.
  • Immunosuppressed people: People who have other diseases of the immune system or take drugs that lower the immune system may be at an increased risk.
  • Viruses: Both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Epstein-Barr virus (which causes infectious mononucleosis or “mono”) may play a role in the development of the disease, though it is not clear why.

How is Hodgkin’s disease diagnosed?

Hodgkin lymphoma is diagnosed by review of a lymph node biopsy by pathologists experienced in lymphoma diagnosis. Their analysis will include the shape of the lymphoma cells, immunohistochemistry (expression of protein on the lymphoma cells) and sometimes cytogenetics (DNA changes in lymphoma cells). We require a confirmation by a pathologist of Hodgkin lymphoma before the patient can be seen by a physician.

Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis at Penn Medicine

Is Hodgkin’s lymphoma curable?

Hodgkin lymphoma is very curable with standard therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Because Hodgkin lymphoma affects a younger population, our hematologist-oncologists and other lymphoma treatment specialists also work closely with Penn Fertility Care to work with patients to preserve their fertility.

Treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma include:

National Cancer Institute Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center badge on top of shot of hospital

Rated “exceptional” by The National Cancer Institute

Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center is a world leader in cancer research, patient care, and education. Our status as a national leader in cancer care is reflected in our continuous designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) since 1973, one of 7 such centers in the United States. The ACC is also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, one of a select few cancer centers in the U.S., that are working to promote equitable access to high-quality, advanced cancer care.

Related specialties

Schedule an appointment

We can help you schedule an appointment or you can search our directory of specialists.