A Closer Look at Targeted Cancer Treatment
One of the newest cancer treatment methods offered at Regional Cancer Care Associates is targeted therapy. For some patients, targeted therapy can drastically improve their
Identifying and Treating Hodgkin Lymphoma in Connecticut, Maryland, and New Jersey
Hodgkin lymphoma, or Hodgkin’s disease, is a fast-spreading form of cancer that starts in the white blood cells and can rapidly invade the body. Luckily, it’s also treatable and even curable if caught quickly. Regional Cancer Care Associates diagnoses and treats Hodgkin lymphoma at our state-of-the-art facilities throughout Connecticut, Maryland, and New Jersey. We provide proactive, individualized care to help every patient lead a fulfilling life while combating the disease.
About Hodgkin Lymphoma
Hodgkin lymphoma is the least common category of lymphoma. Like other kinds of lymphoma, it is a type of cancer that affects the blood cells. Cancerous cells typically originate in the chest area, neck, armpits, or groin, but they can travel quickly through the body and affect other organs. This means that, without medical intervention, the condition can escalate quickly.
Hodgkin lymphoma comes in four classic subtypes:
- Nodular sclerosis (NSCHL)
- Mixed cellularity (MCCHL)
- Lymphocyte-depleted
- Lymphocyte-rich
There is another much rarer type: nodular lymphocyte-predominant (NLPHL), which involves large, abnormal cells that are sometimes called popcorn cells because of their appearance.
Causes and Risk Factors
Researchers have not yet identified clear causes for Hodgkin lymphoma. Some theories suggest that infection with the Epstein-Barr virus or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) might be a cause, though this hasn’t yet been proven. Other factors may put patients more at risk, such as being between ages 15 and 30, older than age 55, or having a family history of lymphoma.
Symptoms and Signs
Hodgkin lymphoma is expressed by a few different symptoms that are often easy to identify. People suffering from the condition often experience:
- Painful, swollen lumps in the neck, armpits, or groin
- Persistent fatigue and dizziness
- Fevers and night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss
- Severe itching
- Increased sensitivity to alcohol
These symptoms may also be caused by other conditions, so patients should NOT try to self-diagnose. If you have concerning symptoms, contact your primary care physician or a specialist to receive a diagnosis.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Hodgkin lymphoma is a curable form of cancer. As with any disease, however, it’s essential to obtain an early diagnosis. The sooner a doctor can catch the condition, the higher the chances of successful treatment. Diagnosing Hodgkin lymphoma requires a range of tests, including:
- Physical exam: The physician feels for swelling in lymph nodes on the neck, groin, and armpits.
- Chest X-ray: An X-ray is taken to examine for swollen lymph nodes or other signs of disease.
- Blood count test: This measures the balance between types of blood cells.
- Lymph node biopsy: The physician tests tissue samples from lymph nodes for abnormal cells.
If Hodgkin lymphoma is found, your treatment team can prescribe chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of both. This is usually enough to completely cure the lymphoma. In more severe cases, however, a more aggressive treatment such as a bone marrow transplant might be necessary.
Fight Hodgkin Lymphoma with Regional Cancer Care Associates
If you or a loved one is battling Hodgkin lymphoma, the expert oncologists at Regional Cancer Care Associates are standing by to help. We are dedicated to delivering effective diagnoses and high-quality treatments, and we take a personalized approach to help each patient fight his or her disease. To find out more or to make an appointment, get in touch with us at our locations in Connecticut, Maryland, and New Jersey.
RELATED ARTICLES
What Are Common Side Effects of Radiation Therapy?
Patients diagnosed with cancer may be treated with radiation therapy, which uses high-energy beams or radiation-emitting “seeds” placed within the body to kill cancer cells.
Cancer Consult: RCCA Medical Oncologist Ian Horkheimer, MD, Explains How We’re Making Slow but Steady Strides Against Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer has long been one of the most challenging cancers to treat successfully. That’s partly because most of its symptoms don’t appear until the cancer has already spread to other areas of the body, or metastasized, and a potential cure like surgery to remove the tumor or pancreas is no longer viable.
Regional Cancer Care Associates is one of fewer than 200 medical practices in the country selected to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM); a recent Medicare initiative aimed at improving care coordination and access to and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy treatment.