Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s Disease
Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Begins with painless enlargement of the cervical or supraclavicular lymph nodes (mostly cervical). Lymph node pain is induced with alcohol. Occurs mostly in teens, young adults and 50 to 60 year olds. In young and old.
Causes
Possibly viral infections such as HIV, Epstein-Barr Virus
Symptoms
Hallmark sign: Reed-Sternberg Cells in Lymph nodes. Night sweats, weight loss, fever, & fatigue.
Metastasis
Spreads from one lymph node to adjacent lymph node in an orderly fashion.
Treatment
Chemotherapy, Radiation, and bone marrow transplant. Remember that radiation to the neck can lead to esophagitis. Makes sense?
Hallmark Sign: Reed-Sternberg cells in lymph nodes
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Occurs in 50 to 60 year-olds. Risk increases with age. Mostly in men.Â
Causes
Unknown but may be viral or due to pesticides and insectides
Symptoms
Painless lymph nodes that spread to GI tract, skin, bone marrow, sinuses, thyroid and CNS. NO Reed-Stern-Sternberg cells.
Metastasis
Spreads unpredictably. Local disease is rare as compared to Hodgkin’s disease. More aggressive
Treatment
Chemotherapy, radiation, and bone marrow transplant.
No Reed-Sternberg cells in Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma