About Hodgkin's Disease
Hodgkin's disease is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which carries disease-fighting white blood cells throughout the body. It usually arises in the neck, groin, chest or armpit, and can spread to other regions via the lymphatic system. Also known as Hodgkin's lymphoma, the disease is named for Dr. Thomas Hodgkin, who first diagnosed it in 1832. It is a fairly rare form of cancer, occurring in about 7400 adults and children each year in the U.S. However, Hodgkin's lymphoma is highly treatable, and even people with advanced disease have a high survival rate. Thanks to modern therapies, the mortality rate has been cut in half over the last 25 years.
Hodgkin's lymphoma occurs in two distinct age groups: adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 35, and adults 55 and over. It's slightly more common in males than females, and tends to be more aggressive in older patients. People with a family member who has Hodgkin's lymphoma have a slightly increased risk. Up to half of Hodgkin's lymphoma patients have had the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes infectious mononucleosis, but its role remains unclear. People with compromised immune systems, such as AIDS patients and organ transplant recipients, may also be more susceptible to Hodgkin's lymphoma.
