Hodgkin's disease, also known as Hodgkin's lymphoma, is cancer of the lymph system. The lymph system is part of the immune system, and there are two kinds of lymphoma: Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's. As Hodgkin's disease spreads, symptoms tend to get progressively and persistently worse.
Lymph Nodes
There is generally a pattern of spread among lymph nodes in Hodgkin's Disease. A common diagnostic symptom is painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, collarbone, armpits, and/or chest above your diaphragm, without overlooking a node area, according to oncologychannel.com. Swelling of the lymph nodes can occur because of a general infection, but if lymph nodes remain swollen for more than a few weeks, it is best to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
Weight Loss
Loss of appetite can be a symptom of Hodgkin's Disease, and unexplained weight loss may occur. This weight loss can be up to 10 percent of your body weight, according to the Mayo Clinic. Fatigue can accompany this weight loss, but the fatigue with this cancer tends to be persistent, even if weight loss does not occur.
Chest and Abdominal Symptoms
If the disease in in the chest, as the tumor grows, you may experience trouble breathing that progressively gets worse, coughing and chest pain. If lymph nodes in the stomach of pelvic area are cancerous, you may have abdominal swelling or a persistent feeling of fullness.
Other Generalized Symptoms
Other symptoms that may appear as the disease progresses prior to diagnosis include night sweats, itchy skin (known as pruritus) and fever. If you drink alcohol, you might have pain or discomfort in your lymph nodes, or you are may become more sensitive to alcohol's effects.
References
- Govindan, Ramaswamy; The Washington Manual of Oncology, 2008
- Mayo Clinic: Hodgkin's Lymphoma
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Hodgkin's Disease
