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Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Symptoms, Signs, and Causes

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Commonly observed symptoms of Hodgkin’s lymphoma include fever, fatigue, weight loss, and weakness. However, these symptoms overlap with those of other health conditions, and this makes the diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma challenging. Therefore, it is important not to ignore persistent symptoms. The exact causes of Hodgkin’s lymphoma disease are unknown. However, certain factors contribute to the development of the disease.

Signs & Symptoms of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Some of the common Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms are:

Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the most common Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms and significantly affects the patient’s quality of life. Fatigue in patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma may be due to various reasons, some related to the disease and some from treatment. In some patients, Hodgkin’s lymphoma may cause a reduction in red blood cell levels, leading to fatigue. In some patients, widespread inflammatory processes because of the body's response to fighting cancer cells may lead to fatigue. Treatment-related factors contributing to fatigue include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and stem cell transplantation.

High Fever

Like fatigue, high fever is also one of Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms related to the disease. A few specific treatments used to treat this condition may also lead to fever. Certain chemicals released by cancer cells trigger an immune response, resulting in the secretion of inflammatory mediators. It results in a high fever. Additionally, treatments, such as chemotherapy, weaken the immune system, leading to an increased risk of infection. Infections may also lead to a high fever.

Drenching Night Sweats

Night sweats could also be a Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer symptom. Night sweats and drenching to the extent that the clothes and bedsheets get soaked are a cause for concern and require immediate medical attention. Night sweats observed in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma disease may be due to an inflammatory response and the release of cytokines as an immune response against Hodgkin’s lymphoma cells.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma may also disrupt the levels of certain hormones, leading to night sweats.

Weight Loss

Along with night sweats, weight loss is also a Hodgkin’s lymphoma B symptom used for staging the disease. If patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma have unexplained significant weight loss, it indicates the possibility of a more aggressive type of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Weight loss may be an early sign of Hodgkin’s lymphoma due to metabolic changes, loss of appetite, and increased energy requirements. As the disease advances, patients may experience cachexia that results in muscle wasting, significant weight loss, and weakness.

Chest Pain

Chest pain is one of the most common Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms in cases where the tumor forms in the lymph nodes of the mediastinum. The enlarged lymph nodes compress the surrounding tissues, such as blood vessels, nerves, and the lungs, causing pain and discomfort. Superior vena cava syndrome is a rare Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptom. It occurs when the enlarged lymph nodes compress a major blood vessel, the superior vena cava. It results in facial swelling and chest pain. It is usually a symptom of stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Problem while Breathing

Patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma have trouble breathing due to several reasons. It includes enlarged lymph nodes in the mediastinum region, superior vena cava syndrome, direct involvement of the lungs (infiltration of the lymphoma cells), and pulmonary infection.

Skin Rashes

Skin rashes are also a Hodgkin’s lymphoma sign. Hodgkin’s lymphoma increases the risk of paraneoplastic pemphigus, which causes blisters, painful skin rashes, and erosions. Skin infections due to compromised immune systems may also result in skin rashes.

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7 Most Common Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Causes

The definite cause of Hodgkin’s lymphoma remains unknown. However, certain factors increase the risk of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The possible Hodgkin’s lymphoma causes include:

Age

Hodgkin’s lymphoma may occur at any age. However, age is one of the causes of non-modifiable Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and the occurrence of subtypes varies with age. Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin’s lymphoma commonly occurs in individuals between 15 and 35 years of age. The mixed cellularity subtype of Hodgkin's lymphoma more commonly causes symptoms of Hodgkin’s lymphoma in adults. This condition is rare in children.

Gender

There is no significant gender bias in individuals affected by Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, some subtle gender differences do exist, especially in the incidence of Hodgkin's lymphoma subtypes. For instance, mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma is more common in males, while nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma is more common in females.

Family History

Most cases of Hodgkin’s lymphoma occur sporadically and do not involve a family history. However, in some instances, Hodgkin’s lymphoma may be related to a family history of Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other cancers.

Organ Transplant

Organ transplant is also one of the possible Hodgkin’s disease causes. However, those who undergo organ transplants are more likely to develop non-Hodgkin’s disease as compared to Hodgkin’s disease.

Low Immunity

Immunity protects the body against various cancers by detecting and destroying abnormal cells. However, a compromised immune system cannot fight against these cancer cells, resulting in their growth, proliferation, and spread.

Smoking Tobacco

There is no strong evidence regarding the association between smoking and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. However, excessive smoking of tobacco increases the body’s exposure to carcinogens that enhance the risk of several types of cancer. Additionally, the association between smoking and Hodgkin's lymphoma may vary across these subtypes.

Environment

Exposure to certain hazardous chemicals may cause Hodgkin’s lymphoma. These chemicals include benzene, trichloroethylene, and insecticides.

When to see an Oncologist?

Individuals should not ignore any symptoms that may indicate serious underlying medical conditions. Patients should consult with oncologists if they persistently experience Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms, such as high fever, chest pain, problems with breathing, skin rashes, weight loss, night sweats, and fatigue.

Conclusion

Not all patients experience Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms in the early stages of the disease. However, Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms, if present, include fatigue, high fever, weight loss, night sweats, chest pain, breathing difficulties, and skin rashes. Hodgkin’s lymphoma causes include age, gender, compromised immunity, organ transplant, smoking, family history, and exposure to certain chemicals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can you have Hodgkin lymphoma without knowing?

The time taken by Hodgkin’s lymphoma to become apparent may vary from one subtype to another. Some subtypes of Hodgkin’s lymphoma are aggressive, while others are slow-growing.

Early signs of Hodgkin’s lymphoma include unexplained weight, loss of appetite, high fever, skin rashes, and fatigue.

The role of genetics or hereditary factors in the development of Hodgkin’s lymphoma is not clearly understood. A combination of genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the development of this condition.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma initiates due to the uncontrolled growth, division, and proliferation of B-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma significantly affects the quality of life due to disease-related and treatment-related complications. The commonly observed Hodgkin’s lymphoma signs include fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, and psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety.