HODGKIN DISEASE
SYMPTOMS |
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Hodgkin's lymphoma usually begins in a
lymph node. This node enlarges; but may or may not cause any pain—as
would enlarged lymph nodes due to infectious causes. Hodgkin's
lymphoma progresses in a fairly predictable way, traveling from one
group of lymph nodes on to the next. More advanced cases of
Hodgkin's include involvement of the spleen, the liver, and bone
marrow.
Constitutional symptoms—symptoms which affect the whole body—are
common. They include fever, weight loss, heavy sweating at night,
and itching. Some patients note pain after drinking alcoholic
beverages.
As nodes swell, they may push on other nearby structures, resulting
in other symptoms. These symptoms include pain from pressure on
nerve roots, as well as loss of function of specific muscle groups
served by the compressed nerves. Kidney failure may result from
compression of the ureters, the tubes which carry urine from the
kidneys to the bladder. The face, neck, or legs may swell due to
pressure slowing the flow in veins which should drain blood from
those regions (superior vena cava syndrome). Pressure on the spinal
cord can result in paralysis of the legs. Compression of the trachea
and/or bronchi (airways) can cause wheezing and shortness of breath.
Masses in the liver can cause the accumulation of certain chemicals
in the blood, resulting in jaundice (a yellowish discoloration of
the skin and the whites of the eyes).
As Hodgkin's lymphoma progresses, a patient's immune system becomes
less and less effective at fighting infection. Thus, patients with
Hodgkin's lymphoma become increasingly more susceptible to both
common infections caused by bacteria and unusual (opportunistic)
infections caused by viruses, fungi, and protozoa. |
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| HODGKIN DISEASE RELATED ITEMS |
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