Hodgkin's Lymphoma - also known as Hodgkin's disease - can mirror some of the signs and symptoms of the flu at first (fever, night sweats, and fatigue), making a wrong initial diagnosis a possibility. However, there are other signs and symptoms of Hodgkin's that differentiate it from the flu altogether, especially later in the progression of the disease.
Hodgkin's Lymphoma defined
According to the Mayo Clinic, Hodgkin's Lymphoma is "a cancer of the lymphatic system." Our lymphatic system -- which includes lymph nodes, lymph channels, and our spleen, thymus, tonsils, adenoids, and bone marrow -- is a part of our body's immune system.
Hodgkin's Lymphoma derived its name in 1832 from a British physician named Thomas Hodgkin, who was the first to differentiate it from other lymphomas.
Initial signs and symptoms
Chills, fever, night sweats, and ongoing fatigue can be initial signs and symptoms of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. However, developing itching, losing your appetite, or dropping more than 10% of your body weight rapidly can also be symptoms.
Later symptoms
If you are expecting pain to accompany all the possible symptoms of Hodgkin's, you may not recognize this one: pain-free lymph node swelling in your armpits, neck, or groin areas. Some people notice what seems to be a knot in these areas, but since they are not painful, they rule out any concern. But since tumors eventually grow with Hodgkin's, it is important to have a doctor check out any suspicious knots that appear in these areas.
The difference between Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
There is one key difference between Hodgkin's Lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: the presence - or lack of a presence - of an abnormal cell named Reed-Sternberg cell.
Both Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's are types of lymphoma cancer, but the Reed-Sternberg cell is found only in Hodgkin's Lymphoma, which is important to know since treatment for each can vary.
Warning
In addition to the aforementioned symptoms, Hodgkin's can extend beyond the and into other parts of the body. Progression of this disease has the ability to adversely affect your body's ability to fight off infections too.
Prognosis
According to the Mayo Clinic website, approximately one third of all women - and half of all men - will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. That's a staggering statistic. However, the good news is that there is a 95 percent success rate (for 5 years) for those properly treated for Stage I or Stage II of Hodgkin's disease.
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