Hodgkin lymphoma* is a specialized form of lymphoma, and represents about 11.4 percent of all lymphomas diagnosed in 2009. Hodgkin lymphoma has characteristics that distinguish it from all other cancers of the lymphatic system, including:
The presence of an abnormal cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell (a large, malignant cell found in the Hodgkin lymphoma tissues)
Higher incidence rates in adolescents and young adults
The five-year relative survival rate for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma has increased dramatically from 40 percent in whites from 1960-1963 to more than 86 percent for all races from 1999-2005.
* Lymphoma facts and statistics from Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma Facts 2009-2010, June 2009.
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New Cases
An estimated 74,490 people living in the United States will be diagnosed with lymphoma in 2009 (8,510 cases of Hodgkin lymphoma and 65,980 cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma [NHL]). The incidence of Hodgkin lymphoma is consistently lower than that of NHL.
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Incidence by Gender
Incidence rates for Hodgkin lymphoma and NHL tend to be higher among males than among females.
Among the 74,490 new cases of lymphoma in 2009, the diseases will affect 40,630 males and 33,860 females. Hodgkin lymphoma will account for 8,510 cases (4,640 males and 3,870 females), and 65,980 cases will be NHL (35,990 males and 29,990 females).
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Incidence by Age, Race and Ethnicity
The incidence of Hodgkin lymphoma among young people under 20 years of age was 1.1 per 100,000 children in 2006. The incidence in this group has decreased significantly between 1975 and 1999. It has remained fairly constant since 1999, decreasing slightly to 0.9 in 2005.
Lymphoma is the third most common cancer in children (Hodgkin lymphoma, 7.2 percent; NHL, 6.6 percent), following leukemia (27.1 percent) and neoplasms of the brain and other nervous tissue (16.6 percent).
Lymphoma is most commonly diagnosed in whites (24.3 per 1 million), followed by African-American children (21.9 per 1 million), and Hispanic children (20.6 per 1 million). Lymphoma is least commonly diagnosed among American Indian and Alaska Native children (12.6 per 1 million).
Older children and teenagers are more commonly diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma than young children. In 2009, children younger than 15 years will comprise more than 4.5 percent of all cases of Hodgkin lymphoma expected to be diagnosed.
Hodgkin lymphoma incidence rates are lower in adults in their middle years than in young adults. Incidence increases in people between 60 and 84 years.
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Signs and Symptoms
Painless swelling of one or more lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin is a common early sign of Hodgkin lymphoma. However, enlarged lymph nodes may be the result of inflammation in the body and not necessarily a sign of cancer.
Other signs and symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma may include recurrent high fever, persistent cough and shortness of breath, excessive sweating at night, itching and weight loss.
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Possible Causes
The cause of this type of lymphoma is unknown. Most cases of Hodgkin lymphoma occur in people who do not have identifiable risk factors. Many studies of links between Hodgkin lymphoma and environmental exposures have been conducted with unclear results. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been associated with almost half of the cases, but EBV has not been conclusively established as a cause. People infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have a higher risk of developing lymphoma.
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Treatment
Cure is the goal of treatment for people who have Hodgkin lymphoma. "Involved field" radiation therapy with chemotherapy (sometimes called "combined modality therapy") is the most common treatment approach for Hodgkin lymphoma. Involved field radiation therapy targets the evident Hodgkin lymphoma cell masses, and chemotherapy is used to kill neighboring lymphoma cells.
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Survival
Hodgkin lymphoma is now considered to be one of the most curable forms of cancer. The five-year relative survival rate for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma has increased dramatically from 40 percent in whites from 1960 to 1963 to more than 86 percent for all races from 1999 to 2005.** Five-year relative survival rates are 91.8 percent for all patients who were less than 45 years old at diagnosis.
In the United States in 2009, there are 148,461 people living with Hodgkin lymphoma (active disease or in remission) and 452,723 people living with NHL, for a total of 601,184 people in the U.S. who are living with lymphoma.
The growing US survivor population has special needs for medical follow-up. Efforts are under way to provide information about survivors' risks for developing multiple primary cancers. Subsequent cancers among Hodgkin lymphoma survivors have been well-studied because of the high long-term survival rates and the relatively young age at diagnosis for many with this disease. The information will help physicians and patients discuss the risks and any established prevention and screening guidelines.
**Treatment outcomes vary, even among patients with the same diagnosis. Individuals are encouraged to talk to their physicians for more information. In addition, these statistics may underestimate survival to a degree because they may be based on data that does not include outcomes of treatment with the most current options available. Newer agents and drug combinations, progress in stem cell transplantation, better supportive care and studies of new drugs in clinical trials are all contributing to improved outcomes and quality of life for people diagnosed with blood cancers.
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Survival for Children
The five-year relative survival is 95.5 percent for Hodgkin lymphoma in persons under 20 years of age. The five-year relative survival is now 95.4 percent for Hodgkin lymphoma in children aged from 0 to 14 years.
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Deaths
Death rates have been declining for Hodgkin lymphoma patients for the last 30 years. An estimated 1,290 persons (800 males and 490 females) will die of Hodgkin lymphoma in 2009.
In men, death rates for Hodgkin lymphoma have been declining by 3 percent per year since 1997 and in women death rates for Hodgkin lymphoma have been declining 3.7 percent per year since 1998.
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Get More Information
For more information on treatment and supportive care, please view, print or order the free LLS booklets:
The Lymphoma Guide: Information for Patients and Caregivers
Hodgkin Lymphoma
Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplantation
Understanding Drug Therapy and Managing Side Effects
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Contact Us
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Home Office
1311 Mamaroneck Ave.
White Plains, NY 10605
or call the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572.
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