Hodgkin’s disease, also known as Hodgkin’s lymphoma, is a rare form of cancer affecting the white blood cells. It is not to be confused with another type of cancer affecting blood cells, known as “non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.” Symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes, night sweats, enlargement of the spleen and liver, unexplained loss of weight, itchy skin, pain after consuming alcoholic beverages (due to liver dysfunction), fever, back pain and red, patchy skin. A combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy is typically used to treat Hodgkin’s disease. The prognosis depends on the patient’s age and overall health, but survival rates are improving.
