This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Maurie Markman, MD, President, Medicine & Science
This page was updated on July 20, 2022.
Hodgkin lymphoma, formerly known as Hodgkin’s disease, is a rare cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, which circulates through lymph nodes and other organs, filtering out impurities and imperfections. Fewer than 9,000 cases of Hodgkin lymphoma are diagnosed every year, making it the least common of the four major types of blood cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that 8,570 new cases of Hodgkin lymphoma will be diagnosed in the United States in 2024, with 4,630 in men and 3,940 in women.
Considering Hodgkin lymphoma’s complexities and similarities to other blood cancers, it’s important to consult with an experienced team of cancer doctors and clinicians trained to accurately diagnose the disease and develop a treatment plan tailored to each patient’s needs.
At City of Hope, our medical oncologists, hematologist-oncologists and other experts have years of experience delivering the standard-of-care and precision cancer treatments available to treat Hodgkin lymphoma. Our whole-person care model is also designed to support patients throughout their treatment journey, offering supportive care services to help them manage side effects and maintain their quality of life.
This overview will cover the basic facts about Hodgkin lymphoma, including:
If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma and want to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing, or if you’re interested in a second opinion for your Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis and treatment plan, call us or chat online with a member of our team.
Hodgkin lymphoma is a blood cancer that develops in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. These blood cells are in the lymphatic system, a network of vessels, nodes and organs that filter waste and toxins and help fight infection.
The main types of lymphocytes are T-cells and B-cells, which are white blood cells made in bone marrow. B-cells remain in the bone marrow to mature, while T-cells mature in the thymus, a small organ nestled between the lungs. B-cells are far more likely than T-cells to mutate and cause a liquid cancer such as Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma or leukemia.
The main difference between Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the presence or absence of oversized B-cells called Reed-Sternberg cells. These cells are usually detected during a biopsy and indicate the presence of Hodgkin lymphoma.
Cancer research has not identified the cause of this type of lymphoma. Risk factors that may increase the chances of developing the disease include:
Adults in their 20s and early 30s and those over age 55 are at an increased risk for developing Hodgkin lymphoma. It is most common in early adulthood.
Men have a slightly greater chance of developing the disease than women. Hodgkin lymphoma is most common in North America and northern Europe. It also is more common in individuals with a higher socioeconomic background.
"There is so much more to the experience of City of Hope than just the treatment. Some people have asked me why I travel for treatment, why I don’t just go somewhere local. Doesn’t it make life complicated? No, it doesn’t. City of Hope takes the worry away. Scheduling, appointments, all of these details are taken care of. My response when people ask me about the inconvenience of traveling for treatment is that all I need to do is get there and get myself home. City of Hope takes care of everything else."
There are two types of Hodgkin lymphoma. About 95 percent of all cases are classic Hodgkin lymphoma (or classical). This cancer type is divided into four subtypes:
A second, less common type of Hodgkin lymphoma is nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL), most often diagnosed in middle-aged adults. It is characterized by so-called popcorn cells, lobular versions of Reed-Sternberg cells that resemble popcorn. Some patients with NLPHL go on to develop diffuse large B cell lymphoma, a fast-growing type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Hodgkin lymphoma symptoms share many characteristics with other illnesses, such as a cold or flu. During the early stages of Hodgkin lymphoma, cancer cells may not cause any symptoms.
An early sign of Hodgkin lymphoma may be swelling in one or more of the lymph nodes, usually in the neck. When the concentration of white blood cells increases as part of the body’s immune system response to virus or infection, the lymph nodes can become swollen. In some cases, the swelling is caused by another condition, like cancer.
Common symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma include:
Tools and procedures for diagnosing Hodgkin lymphoma may include:
According to the ACS, the five-year survival rate for Hodgkin lymphoma ranges from 78 percent for cancer that has spread to distant parts of the body to 92 percent for cancer that has not spread outside the lymph system. Treatment options for Hodgkin lymphoma may include:
The symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma, such as fatigue, loss of appetite and pain, and the side effects of treatment may require a supportive care approach to help you maintain your quality of life.
Chemotherapy, for example, may cause nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, mouth sores, fertility problems, shortness of breath and heart damage. Radiation therapy may lower the white blood cell count, which increases the risk of infection, and may cause fatigue, nausea, dry mouth and skin reactions.
At City of Hope, while patients undergo treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma, their care team works with them to manage these radiation-induced side effects, including by regularly monitoring blood counts. If needed, you’ll receive therapies to stimulate your blood cell production and prevent or treat infection.
You’ll also have access to supportive care services, such as nutritional support and pain management, designed to help keep you strong so you are better able to continue treatment while participating in your everyday activities.
Supportive care therapies that may be recommended to help patients with Hodgkin lymphoma stay strong and maintain their quality of life include:
