Hodgkin

Hodgkin, in medical terms most often used to refer to Hodgkin's lymphoma, is a cancer of the lymphatic system named after the British physician Thomas Hodgkin, who first described the disease in the 19th century. The disease is characterized by malignant Reed-Sternberg cells within affected lymph nodes and sometimes in extranodal sites. It is distinct from non-Hodgkin lymphomas in its pathology, epidemiology, and treatment response.

Clinical features typically begin with painless enlargement of one or more lymph nodes, most often in the neck, armpit, or groin. B symptoms—fever, drenching night sweats, and unintentional weight loss—may occur as the disease progresses. Staging uses the Ann Arbor system (I to IV, with A or B depending on systemic symptoms) to guide therapy.

Diagnosis requires a lymph node biopsy showing Reed-Sternberg cells, which are usually CD15 and CD30 positive and CD45 negative. Imaging, particularly PET-CT, helps determine disease extent. The disease is often highly responsive to treatment, especially in early stages.

Treatment depends on stage and may include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or both. Common regimens feature ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine); BEACOPP is used in some settings. Early-stage disease often achieves excellent control with limited therapy, while advanced stages are curable in a large majority of patients. Relapsed or refractory cases may require salvage chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, or targeted therapies such as brentuximab vedotin.

Prognosis is generally favorable, with 5-year survival commonly above 85% in many patient groups. Long-term follow-up focuses on late treatment effects, including secondary cancers and cardiovascular or pulmonary risks. See also Reed-Sternberg cells, Ann Arbor staging, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.