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KOMPAS.com – Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is included in a type of cancer, but maybe not many people know about “what is Hodgkin’s Lymphoma”.
Referring to Global Burden of Cancer (Globocan) data in March 2021, cases of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2020 are included in the 28th list that has occurred the most in Indonesia.
The number of cases is 1,188 with a death rate of 363, which ranks 30th.
Therefore, maybe this type of cancer is not well known by the general public.
This article will briefly review what Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is by introducing its signs and causes.
Also read: Hodgkin Lymphoma, The End of the Search for 1.5 Years Bayu Suffers from Severe Pain
What is Hodgkin Lymphoma?
Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer of the lymph system.
To understand Hodgkin’s lymphoma, it’s helpful to know about the lymph system as well.
Quoted from American Cancer Societythe lymphatic system is part of the immune system, which helps fight infections and some other diseases.
The lymph system also helps control the flow of fluids in the body.
The lymph system is mainly made up of cells called lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. There are 2 main types of lymphocytes:
- B lymphocytes (B cells): in charge of making proteins called antibodies to help protect the body from germs (bacteria and viruses).
- T lymphocytes (T cells): there are many types of T cells. Some T cells are responsible for destroying germs or abnormal cells in the body. Other T cells help increase or slow down the activity of other immune system cells.
Also read: Hodgkin Lymphoma
Hodgkin’s lymphoma usually starts in B lymphocytes.
These lymph nodes are located all over the body, including in the neck, chest, arms, abdomen, and pelvis, and this is where Hodgkin’s Lymphoma can start.
However, it most often begins in the lymph nodes in the upper body.
“Hodgkin’s lymphoma seems benign, but malignant. So, this is a malignant tumor of the lymph system,” said Dr. dr. Andhika Rachman, SpPD KHOM, FINASIM, Consultant Hematology and Medical Oncology in the webinar “World Cancer Day 2023: Closing Gaps in Access to Innovative Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Treatment”, on Thursday (24/2/2023).
However, this type of cancer can be completely cured. Moreover, early diagnosis can be made.
“If asked whether there is cancer that can be completely cured, this is Hodgkin’s Lymphoma,” said Dr. Andhika.
However, difficulties in diagnosis can occur, so that treatment is too late. This is because a disease can appear together with other diseases.
“There are several diseases that appear together with other diseases. For example tuberculosis, it mimics all, not only Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, but also in lung cancer,” he explained.
Also read: Difference between Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
What are the signs of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?
Dr Andhika explained that the most common signs of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma are swelling (lumps) in one or more lymph nodes.
Lymph nodes that are common to experience enlargement are in the neck, armpits, and groin.
These enlarged lymph nodes are accompanied by other common symptoms known as “B Symptoms”, which include:
- Fever over 38 Celsius, sometimes for no reason it drops again
- Night sweats
- Unintentional loss of more than 10 percent of body weight in 6 months straight
Other signs of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma are:
- Itchy skin (pruritus)
- Extreme fatigue (fatigue)
- intolerance to alcohol
Also read: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
“Fever symptoms that often occur are temperatures above 37.2 Celsius, below 38 Celsius. So, like a common cold, fever is like that,” said Dr. Andhika.
He added that regarding weight loss, if it is unintentional it leads to serious conditions.
“All symptoms of Hodgkin Lymphoma must be seen as a whole, cannot be separated,” he said.
So if you experience any of the above symptoms, it doesn’t mean you also have Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
To ensure the condition and get treatment faster, you need to see a specialist in internal medicine.
Treatments for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma that have been approved by BPOM and are available in Indonesia are chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and transplantation.
Also read: Lymphoma
What are the causes of Hodgkin Lymphoma?
Quoted from Mayo ClinicAlthough experts aren’t sure what causes Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
What is known for sure about the causes of Hodgkin Lymphoma is that it begins in white blood cells (lymphocytes) that fight infection to develop changes in DNA.
The cell’s DNA contains instructions that tell the cell what to do.
Changes in DNA tell cells to multiply rapidly and continue living when other cells naturally die.
Lymphoma cells attract many healthy immune system cells to protect them and help them grow.
The extra cells swarm into the lymph nodes and cause swelling and other symptoms of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Also read: Lymphoma Disease: Symptoms, Causes, How to Overcome
Meanwhile, there are a number of risk factors for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma which include:
- Age: most cases of Hodgkin Lymphoma occur in young people aged 15-30 years and older people aged 55 years and over.
- Family history of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Having a blood relative with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma increases your risk of developing this disease as well.
- Boys: boys are slightly more likely than girls to develop Hodgkin’s Lymphoma from birth.
- History of Epstein-Barr infection: in some cases this infection leads to the development of Reed-Sternberg cells, which are the cancer cells in Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
- History of HIV infection: HIV-infected people have an increased risk of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma due to a weakened immune system.
Also read: Lymphoma Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Overcome It
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