What Is Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?

Taken straight from the Web MD website.  The actual link to this article can be found below.

What Is Hodgkin’s Disease?

Hodgkin’s disease is a type of lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system.

The lymphatic system is a network of nodes (knots of tissue) connected by vessels. Together they drain fluid and waste products from all the organs and structures of your body. The lymph nodes act as tiny filters, straining out invading organisms and cancerous cells. Organs that contain a lot of lymphatic tissue include the spleen, the thymus gland (in the chest behind the breastbone), the adenoids and tonsils, and the bone marrow.

The lymphatic system also is involved in producing important white blood cells called lymphocytes that help protect you against various infectious invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. When the lymphatic system is fighting an active infection, you may notice that some of your lymph nodes and tissue in the area of the infection become swollen and tender. This is normal.

Lymphoma occurs when the lymph-node cells or the lymphocytes begin to multiply uncontrollably, producing malignant cells that have the abnormal ability to invade other tissues throughout your body.

The two main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin’s disease (also called Hodgkin’s lymphoma) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which are classified by certain unique characteristics of the cancer cells.

Hodgkin’s disease is most common in two different age groups: young adults (ages 15 to 35) and older adults (over age 50). It is somewhat more common in males than females. Because of progress made in the treatment of Hodgkin’s disease, the American Cancer Society states that most people with this cancer be cured with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

What Causes It?

No one knows for sure why some people develop Hodgkin’s disease. However, scientists have noticed certain associations. For example, people who have had mononucleosis due to infection with Epstein-Barr virus have a greater likelihood of developing Hodgkin’s disease. As do patients with immune deficiencies such as congenital (present at birth) immune deficiency syndromes, those treated with immunosuppressant drugs after organ transplantation and patients infected with the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

http://www.webmd.com/cancer/understanding-hodgkins-disease-basic-information