How to Define Hodgkin's Disease

The simplest way to define Hodgkin's disease is as a form of cancer characterized by malignant growth and swelling of the lymphatic tissue. According to the American Cancer Society, it is one of the less common forms of cancer, accounting for less than 4 percent of all new cases of cancer in men and women in the United States. Understanding what Hodgkin's disease is and how it spreads is one of the first and most important steps in fighting it.

Things You'll Need

• Doctor/oncologist
• Computer with Internet access

Instructions

1. Understand that doctors define Hodgkin's disease using four named categories, plus a category that remains undefined. The categories are lymphocyte predominance, mixed cellularity, nodular sclerosis and lymphocyte depletion.

2. Note there is no benign form of Hodgkin's disease (other forms of tumors may be considered harmless, but Hodgkin's is always malignant).

3. Note that your spleen, thymus and bone marrow are considered parts of your lymphatic system. Although the lymph nodes are what doctors more often define as your primary lymphatic system, these other organs support the system's function (the creation and distribution of infection-fighting white blood cells).

4. Be aware that the distribution of new cases of Hodgkin's disease is fairly equal between men and women, according to the American Cancer Society. Recent statistics show that men appear to develop the cancer only slightly more often than women.

5. Understand that Hodgkin's disease is more apt to develop in someone with a reduced immune system (as a consequence of age, positive HIV status, etc.).

6. Keep in mind that other forms of lymphoma are not considered Hodgkin's disease (and are thus called non-Hodgkin's lymphomas). These lymphomas, while similar, have distinguishing characteristics.

Tips & Warnings

• Always ask your doctor if swelling in the lymph nodes is simply a sign of your body is fighting an infection or an indication of Hodgkin's disease. Swollen lymph nodes are common and not always indicative of a malignancy.

• Keep in mind you have the right, if diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, to participate in determining your treatment options.

• Talk to your doctor about your mental outlook if you find yourself struggling to deal with the prospect of Hodgkin's disease. Medications and support groups are available to help you make it through treatment without undue depression or anxiety.

• Be aware that living a healthy lifestyle will ward off many of the worst diseases and cancers, but there are no known steps to preventing Hodgkin's disease.