What is Adult Hodgkins Lymphoma?

What is Adult Hodgkins Lymphoma?

Adult Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops in the lymph system. The lymph system is part of the immune system. It helps protect the body from infection and disease.

The lymph system is made up of the following:

• Lymph: Colorless, watery fluid that travels through the lymph vessels and carries T and B lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell.
• Lymph vessels: A network of thin tubes that collect lymph from different parts of the body and return it to the bloodstream.
• Lymph nodes: Small, bean-shaped structures that filter lymph and store white blood cells that help fight infection and disease. Lymph nodes are found along a network of lymph vessels throughout the body. Groups of lymph nodes are found in the mediastinum (the area between the lungs), neck, underarm, abdomen, pelvis, and groin. Hodgkin lymphoma most commonly forms in the lymph nodes above the diaphragm and often in the lymph nodes in the mediastinum.
• Spleen: An organ that makes lymphocytes, stores red blood cells and lymphocytes, filters the blood, and destroys old blood cells. The spleen is on the left side of the abdomen near the stomach.
• Thymus: An organ in which T lymphocytes mature and multiply. The thymus is in the chest behind the breastbone.
• Bone marrow: The soft, spongy tissue in the center of certain bones, such as the hip bone and breastbone. White blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets are made in the bone marrow.
• Tonsils: Two small masses of lymph tissue at the back of the throat. There is one tonsil on each side of the throat. Adult Hodgkin lymphoma rarely forms in the tonsils.

Lymph tissue is also found in other parts of the body, such as the lining of the digestive tract, bronchus, and skin.

There are two general types of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This summary is about the treatment of adult Hodgkin lymphoma, including during pregnancy.