Hodgkin's disease, also called Hodgkin's lymphoma, is a cancer of the lymphatic system that fends off infections in the body. Hodgkin's disease accounts for less than 1 percent of cancers diagnosed annually in the U.S., with 7,800 new cases reported each year, according to 2009 estimates of the American Cancer Society.
Causes
There are few risk factors for Hodgkin's disease, making it difficult to predict. Those factors are genetic predisposition, infection with Epstein-Barre virus and gender (males have a higher risk).
Diagnosis
Hodgkin's disease is diagnosed via biopsy of a lymph node. It is examined under a microscope by a pathologist to check for cancerous cells and to determine the stage of the cancer.
Symptoms
Symptoms include painless enlargement of lymph nodes, night sweats, unexplained fevers, back pain and itchy skin.
Treatment
Chemotherapy and radiation are used to treat Hodgkin's disease. Chemotherapy cures 90 percent of newly diagnosed cases, according to the American Cancer Society.
Prognosis
The prognosis for Hodgkin's disease is very good, with an 85 percent five-year survival rate, according to the American Cancer Society. Younger patients and those in the earlier staging of the disease have a better prognosis.
Famous Sufferers
Famous people with Hodgkin's disease include hockey superstar Mario Lemieux and Senator Arlen Specter. Hall of Fame Baseball player Roger Maris died of Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 1985 at age 51.
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