IACPV RESEARCH

Posted By Clod on October 5, 2011

Hodgkin’s disease, also known as Hodgkin’s lymphoma, is one of two types of cancer of the lymph system. The other type is called non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). The lymph system, responsible for protecting the body from disease and infection, is made up of tiny bean-shaped glands connected by a network of very small channels that carry lymph fluid to other parts of the body, including the spleen, thymus gland, tonsils, and bone marrow.

Causes & Types: Many factors may contribute to Hodgkin’s disease, including heredity, viruses, and immune system deficiencies, but the exact causes remain unknown. There are four main types: nodular sclerosis (accounting for 30% – 60% of cases), mixed cellularity (accounting for 20% – 40% of cases), lymphocyte predominant (accounting for 5% – 10% of cases), and lymphocyte depleted (accounting for less than 5% of cases).

Risk & Remission: It is estimated that 64,000 new cases of lymphoma will be diagnosed in 1999, including 7,200 cases of Hodgkin’s disease.

It occurs mainly in young adults, with a peak occurrence between the ages of 20 and 40 years. Older patients, between the ages of 60 and 70, may also develop this disease.

The cases of Hodgkin’s disease are split equally between men and women. Rapid advances have been made in diagnosis and treatment of Hodgkin’s disease. According to the National Cancer Institute, at least 70% to 80% of patients with Hodgkin’s disease are cured.

Categories: Health
Tags: bone marrow, infection, viruses