Formerly referred to as Hodgkin's disease, Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of cancer of the lymph nodes. Because lymph tissue exists throughout the body, Hodgkin's lymphoma can begin almost anywhere, causing lymph nodes to swell before spreading. Thanks to developments in classification systems, scientists can define Hodgkin's lymphoma as a group of at least two diseases, each with its own subtypes.
Classic Hodgkin's lymphoma, also known as cHD is divided into four main types. All receive the "classical" label when abnormal cells known as Reed-Sternberg cells are detected in lymph node, according to the OncologyChannel website. The four types of classical Hodgkin's lymphoma are nodular sclerosis, mixed cellularity, lymphocyte rich and lymphocyte depleted.
Nodular Sclerosis Hodgkin's
Nodular sclerosis is the most common type of the four classical types, accounting for close to 80 percent of all cases, according toOncologyChannel. Diagnosed mostly in young adults (more women than men), it is often identified in its early stages thanks to readily identifiable enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
Mixed Cellularity Hodgkin's
Classical type mixed cellularity Hodgkin's disease, or MCHD, accounts for anywhere from 15 to 30 percent of all Hodgkin's disease, according to OncologyChannel. More common in men than in women, MCHD affects all age groups but often appears in people with HIV. Lymph nodes of the abdomen and spleen are usually the initial ones impacted.
Lymphocyte Depletion Hodgkin's
The least common form of classical Hodgkin's disease is known as lymphocyte depletion Hodgkin's disease (LDHD). Targeting men more than women, this disease also tends those with HIV and tends to impact the abdomen and pelvis lymph nodes in its later stages.
Lymphocyte-Rich Classic Hodgkin's
Lymphocyte-rich classic Hodgkin's disease (cLRHD) is a variant of lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin's disease. Suprisingly, cLRHD acts more like a "classical" Hodgkin's's lymphoma in that Reed-Sternberg cells are sometimes seen under the microscope, Relapse after complete remission is very rare, a sharp contrast to lymphocyte-predominant type discussed below that carries a high relapse rate.
Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin's
Lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's disease (LPHD) is rare--and according to the OncologyChannel--only five percent of lymphomas are this type in which abnormal "popcorn" cells can be seen under the microscope rather than "classical's" Reed-Sternberg cells. This disease appears to strike men more than women sometime between their 30s and 50s, according to OncologyChannel. Most are diagnosed during the first stages of the disease when the underarm, neck, ear and groin lymph nodes become enlarged. LPHD can be diagnosed in nodular or diffuse form, which describes the look of the popcorn cells as seen by the microscope.
