erapy is targeted towards those areas affected by Hodgkins disease. Furthermore, areas adjacent to the affected lymph nodes may be treated. This ensures that cancer cell that have spread to other areas are also killed.More advanced stages of disease are frequently treated with a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Similarly Stages 1 and 2 with B-type symptoms may require combination treatment. Radiotherapy also has a role in the treatment of bulky tumours or painful lesions affecting the bones or skin surfaces.DiagnosisHodgkin’s disease might first be suspected when a swollen lymph node fails to subside. At this point a doctor will perform a physical examination. During the examination, he or he may ask you questions regarding recent or previous illness. The doctor may wish to listen to the heart and lungs to judge their performance and assess for signs of infection. Palpation of the abdomen and lymph nodes can determine if the organs or lymph nodes larger than normal. The doctor may inspect the mouth and skin surfaces for signs of infection. Following this a number of tests may be ordered. A Lymph Node Biopsy is performed to identify the malignant Reed-Sternberg cells characteristic of Hodgkin’s disease. A lymph node biopsy is performed, during which a sample of tissue is removed from the swollen lymph gland and examined under the microscope. More than one biopsy is needed because biopsies do not always detect cancerous cells. In addition to identifying Reed-Sternberg cells, the doctor will classify the Hodgkin’s disease into 4 distinct pathological groups depending on the cellular structure of the tissue. These 4 groups are called lymphocyte predominant, nodular sclerosis, mixed Cellularity and lymphocyte depleted. Each group has a different prognosis. Furthermore, each group may present with different signs and symptoms. Lymphocyte PredominantThis group accounts for approximately 5% of all cases...
