Lymphoma is a tumor of the lymph system. The lymph system helps defend your body against infection. Hodgkin's is a type of lymphoma that is curable in a great majority of cases.

About 15 percent of the people with lymphoma have Hodgkin's Disease. It strikes nearly 8,000 people in the United States each year. It occurs between the mid-teens and late 20s, where it peaks. It may also be seen after the age of 60, increasing in incidence with age.

Hodgkin's Disease differs from other kinds of lymphoma in two major ways. If you have Hodgkin's disease, a special type of cell called a Reed-Sternberg cell can be found in your lymph nodes. The spread pattern is also different. The cancer starts at the top of your body and moves from one part of the lymph system to the next. Then it moves into the lungs, liver, bone, and marrow.

The first symptom is usually swelling in the lymph glands of the neck. Swelling can occur in the armpits or groin also, but is not as common. Swollen lymph glands are usually painless. You might also notice weight loss, night sweats, itchy skin, and fevers.

A biopsy is done to see if Hodgkin's Disease is present. Treatment depends on the extent of the disease. Sometimes surgery, called a laparotomy, is performed to remove the spleen and sample lymph nodes. This helps to determine the extent of the disease. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy is the most common treatment. Among patients who discover it in early stages, 90 percent are cured of the disease. For more information about Hodgkin's Disease, call the National Cancer Institute at (800) 4-CANCER or the American Cancer Society at (800) ACS-2345.

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