PhytoScience - Article

Hodgkin's lymphoma

 

Hodgkin's lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of your immune system.

In Hodgkin's disease, cells in the lymphatic system grow abnormally and may spread beyond the lymphatic system. As Hodgkin's disease progresses, it compromises your body's ability to fight infection.

Hodgkin's disease is one of two common types of cancers of the lymphatic system. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the other type, is far more common. Hodgkin's disease is named after the British physician Thomas Hodgkin, who first described the disease in 1832 and noted characteristics that distinguish it from other lymphomas.

Advances in diagnosis, staging and treatment of Hodgkin's disease have helped to make this once uniformly fatal disease highly treatable with the potential for full recovery.

Signs and symptoms

Many initial signs and symptoms may be similar to those of the flu, such as fever, fatigue and night sweats. Eventually, tumors develop.

Hodgkin's disease symptoms may include:

  • Painless swelling of lymph nodes in your neck, armpits or groin
  • Persistent fatigue
  • Fever and chills
  • Night sweats
  • Unexplained weight loss; as much as 10 percent or more of your body weight
  • Loss of appetite
  • Itching

Causes

The exact cause of Hodgkin's disease is unknown. There are five types of Hodgkin's disease {all among a group of cancers called lymphomas} cancers of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes (lymph glands), which are located throughout your body and are connected by small vessels called lymphatics. The spleen, thymus gland and bone marrow also are part of the lymphatic system.

Hodgkin's disease commonly begins in lymph nodes located in the upper part of your body. Some lymph nodes are in areas more readily noticed, such as in your neck, above your collarbone, under your arms or in your groin area. Enlarged lymph nodes in the chest cavity also are common.  Eventually, Hodgkin's disease may spread outside your lymph nodes to virtually any part of your body.

Abnormal B cells
A key step in Hodgkin's disease involves the development of abnormal B cells, a type of lymph cell that's an important part of your immune system's response to foreign invaders. B cells normally work with T cells, which derive from the thymus, to fight infection. T cells kill foreign invaders directly. B cells become plasma cells, which in turn produce antibodies that neutralize foreign invaders.

When B cells develop into large abnormal cells, these abnormal, cancerous cells are called Reed-Sternberg cells, after the two pathologists who first discovered them. Instead of undergoing the normal cell cycle of life and death, these Reed-Sternberg cells don't die, and they continue to produce abnormal B cells in a malignant process.

Risk factors

The following are risk factors for Hodgkin's disease:

  • Age. People between the ages of 15 and 40, as well as those older than 55, are most at risk of Hodgkin's disease.

  • Family history. Anyone with a brother or a sister who has the disease faces an increased risk of developing Hodgkin's, though this may be due to similar environmental exposures rather than genetic factors.

  • Sex. Males are slightly more likely to develop Hodgkin's.

  • Past Epstein-Barr infection. People who have had illnesses caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, such as infectious mononucleosis, are more likely to develop Hodgkin's disease than people who haven't had a past Epstein-Barr infection.

  • Compromised immune system. Having a compromised immune system, such as from HIV/AIDS or from having an organ transplant requiring medications to suppress your immune response, also appears to put you at a greater risk of Hodgkin's disease.

Screening and diagnosis

Many people with Hodgkin's disease experience no classic symptoms. Sometimes, an abnormality found on a chest X-ray done for nonspecific symptoms leads to an eventual diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease.

Because the symptoms of Hodgkin's are similar to those of other disorders, such as influenza, the disease can be difficult to diagnose. Some distinctive characteristics help diagnose Hodgkin's disease, and these include:

  • Orderly spread. The pattern of spread is orderly, progressing from one group of lymph nodes to the next.

  • Only rare 'skipping.' The disease rarely skips over an area of lymph nodes as it spreads.

Biopsy can reveal changes
A tissue sample (biopsy) of an enlarged lymph node is needed to make the diagnosis. The pathologist looks for changes in the normal lymph node architecture and cell characteristics, including the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. The affected lymph nodes may contain only a few of these malignant cells.

Other procedures that may be valuable in evaluating Hodgkin's disease include:

  • X-ray
  • Computerized tomography (CT) scan
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Gallium scan, which uses a radioactive substance given intravenously that indicates areas in your body where Hodgkin's disease may be present
  • Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
  • Bone marrow biopsy
  • Blood tests

If the disease is predominantly in your abdomen, you may need exploratory surgery to help define the extent of the disease.

Staging Hodgkin's disease
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, doctors "stage" the disease. Staging is how doctors judge the extent of the disease, which will likely affect your treatment options.

  • Stage I. The cancer is limited to one lymph node region or a single organ.

  • Stage II. In this stage, the cancer is in two different lymph nodes, but is limited to a section of the body either above or below the diaphragm.

  • Stage III. When the cancer moves to lymph nodes both above and below the diaphragm, but hasn't spread from the lymph nodes to other organs, it's considered stage III.

  • Stage IV. This is the most advanced stage of Hodgkin's disease. Stage IV Hodgkin's disease affects not only the lymph nodes but also other parts of your body, such as the bone marrow or your liver.

Additional definitions of the cancer
Additionally, your doctor may use the letters A, B, E and S to help define the extent of your cancer and the treatment needed:

  • The letter A means that you don't have any significant symptoms as a result of the cancer.

  • The letter B indicates that you may have significant signs and symptoms, such as a persistent fever greater than 100 F with no other known cause, unintended weight loss of more than 10 percent of your body weight or severe night sweats.

  • The letter E stands for extranodal, which means that the cancer has spread beyond your lymph nodes.

  • The letter S designates a cancer that has spread into your spleen.

The letters B, E and S indicate potentially more serious disease.

Treatment

The most important factor in Hodgkin's disease treatment is the stage of the disease. The number and regions of lymph nodes affected and whether only one or both sides of your diaphragm are involved also are important considerations. Other factors affecting decisions about treating this disease include:

  • Your age
  • Your symptoms
  • Whether you're pregnant
  • Your overall health status

The goal of treatment is to destroy as many malignant cells as possible and bring the disease into remission. As many as 95 percent of people with stage I or stage II Hodgkin's disease survive for five years or more with proper treatment. The five-year survival rate for those with widespread Hodgkin's disease is about 60 percent to 70 percent.

Treatment options include:

Radiation
When the disease is confined to a limited area, radiation therapy may be the treatment of choice. It's typical to radiate the affected nodes and the next area of nodes where the disease might progress. The length of radiation treatment varies depending on the stage of the disease. Radiation therapy may be used alone, but is commonly used in conjunction with chemotherapy. If you relapse after radiation therapy, chemotherapy becomes necessary.

Some forms of radiation therapy may increase your risk of other forms of cancer, such as breast or lung cancer. The risk of breast cancer from standard-dose radiation is even higher for girls and women treated when they were younger than 30; the risk is now considered too high for standard radiation therapy to be considered in this group. Most children with Hodgkin's disease are treated with combination chemotherapy, but may also receive low-dose radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy
When the disease progresses and involves more lymph nodes or other organs, chemotherapy is the preferred treatment. Chemotherapy uses specific drugs in combination to kill tumor cells.

A major concern with chemotherapy is the possibility of long-term side effects and complications, such as heart damage, lung damage, liver damage and secondary cancers, such as leukemia.

Although severe effects aren't common, an ongoing effort is being made into finding equally effective regimens with less toxicity. Drug regimens have been developed that substantially diminish the likelihood of long-range, life-threatening complications, including acute leukemia in people who have received multiple courses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy regimens are commonly referred to by their initials, such as:

  • ABVD, which consists of doxorubicin (Adriamycin ), bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine

  • BEACOPP, which consists of bleomycin, etoposide, Adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine (Oncovin), procarbazine and prednisone

  • COPP/ABVD, which consists of cyclophosphamide, Oncovin, procarbazine, prednisone, Adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine

  • Stanford V, which consists of Adriamycin, vinblastine, mechlorethamine, etoposide, vincristine, bleomycin and prednisone

  • MOPP, which consists of mechlorethamine, Oncovin, procarbazine and prednisone

MOPP had been the basic regimen, but it's very toxic. ABVD is a newer regimen, with less-severe side effects, and is currently the preferred treatment.

Bone marrow transplant
If the disease recurs after an initial chemotherapy-induced remission, high-dose chemotherapy and transplantation of your own (autologous) bone marrow or peripheral stem cells may lead to prolonged remission. Peripheral stem cells are bone marrow cells mobilized from the bone marrow into the bloodstream.

Because high doses of chemotherapy destroy bone marrow, your own marrow or peripheral blood stem cells are collected before treatment and frozen. You'll undergo chemotherapy, and then your own cells, which have been protected from the effects of the treatment, are injected back into your body.

Prevention

A diagnosis of cancer can be extremely challenging. Remember that no matter what your concerns or prognosis, you're not alone. The following strategies and resources may make dealing with cancer easier:

  • Know what to expect. Find out everything you can about your cancer; the type, the stage, your treatment options and their side effects. The more you know, the more active you can be in your own care. In addition to talking with your doctor, look for information in your local library and on the Internet. The National Cancer Institute answers questions from the public and can be reached at 800-422-6237. Or you can contact the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345.

  • Be proactive. Although you may feel tired and discouraged, don't let others {including your family or your doctor} make important decisions for you. Take an active role in your treatment.

  • Maintain a strong support system. Having a support system and a positive attitude can help you cope with any issues, pain and anxieties that might occur. Although friends and family can be your best allies, they sometimes may have trouble dealing with your illness. If so, the concern and understanding of a formal support group or others coping with cancer can be especially helpful.

    Although support groups aren't for everyone, they can be a good source for practical information. You may also find you develop deep and lasting bonds with people who are going through the same things you are.

  • Set reasonable goals. Having goals helps you feel in control and can give you a sense of purpose. But don't choose goals you can't possibly reach. You may not be able work a 40-hour week, for example, but you may be able to work at least part time. In fact, many people find that continuing to work can be helpful.

  • Take time for yourself. Eating well, relaxing and getting enough rest can help combat the stress and fatigue of cancer. Also, plan for the downtimes when you may need to rest more or limit what you do.

  • Stay active. Receiving a diagnosis of cancer doesn't mean you have to stop doing the things you enjoy or normally do. For the most part, if you feel well enough to do something, go ahead and do it. It's important to stay involved as much as you can.

Complementary and alternative medicine

Some people with Hodgkin's lymphoma turn to complementary and alternative medicine treatments to help manage symptoms, improve mood and reduce stress. These treatments may include prayer or spiritual healing, meditation, and vitamin and herbal supplements.

Although some complementary treatments can be a good addition to your regular treatment, take some precautions first:

  • Don't stop taking your prescribed medications or skip therapy sessions. Complementary medicine is not a substitute for regular medical care.

  • Be honest with your doctors and health providers. Tell them exactly which complementary treatments you practice or would like to explore.

  • Be aware that some complementary treatments can interfere with your regular treatment. Even over-the-counter or so-called natural supplements may interfere with your prescribed medications.

  • Natural remedies that lower inflammation can also be beneficial; when indicated they may be preferred over some medications that have adverse effects with prolonged usage.

  • Mangosteen. Mangosteen has been demonstrated to exhibit potent anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. Natural remedies that lower inflammation can be very beneficial in the prevention or treatment of disease. It has been suggested by the American Cancer Society that mangosteen juice can be used as an effective adjunct with standard cancer therapies to reduce many of the side effects and helps to speed up recovery.

    Xanthones, which are unique to the mangosteen, as a class of phytonutrients are polyphenolic bioflavonoids. Over 60 research papers show anti-tumor, antiproliferative, antimicrobial, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and gastrointestinal protective effects. Mangosteen has been used successfully for microbial (Viral, Bacterial and Fungal) conditions for centuries throughout Southeast Asia.

    When indicated; mangosteen juice, consumed daily, may be preferred over some medications that have adverse effects with prolonged usage. Mangosteen juice from the whole fruit puree has successfully been used as an adjuctive therapy to treat Hodgkins lymphoma.

    Recent Invivo studies have demonstrated cytotoxic properties against three human cancer cell lines. The flow cytometric analysis indicated that this compound induced apoptosis in time-and concentration-dependent manners. Alpha-mangostin (One of the many xanthones found in the pericarp of the mangosteen fruit} showed the features of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway such as mitochondrial membrane depolarization and cytochrome c release. Furthermore, alpha-mangostin inhibited the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase markedly.

    In some cases, people using mangosteen for the first time may experience a healing crisis or detoxifying effect {an increase or outbreak of symtoms that may last from 4 to 10 days} in the earliest stages of use. Once the body is cleared of the toxins that exasperate the condition, the healing process can get underway. This is normal and should be expected when using a quality natural product. Results will vary with individuals but the long term benefits are well worth the short term discomfort as mangosteen juice has been effective with many types of cancer.

    Mangosteen juice from the whole fruit puree consumed daily, has successfully been used to treat inflammatory conditions and has demonstrated numerous additional benefits over other natural products. More mangosteen research is needed, but current scientific studies have demonstrated promising results in regards to benefiting patients with Hodgkins lymphoma. Mangosteen Science

Lacking scientific evidence
A few herbal and dietary products claim to help cure or prevent cancer. There's no scientific evidence that these products work, and some may be dangerous. Three popular "cancer-fighting" supplements include:

  • Chaparral. Also known as creosote bush or greasewood, chaparral (Larrea tridentata) comes from a desert shrub found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Research hasn't shown that the herb effectively treats cancer, and it can lead to irreversible liver failure.

  • PC-SPES. This mixture contains eight herbs that have been used for hundreds of years in traditional Chinese medicine to treat prostate issues and other health problems. Some studies show it may reduce cancer growth, but it can also cause side effects. It was sold as a dietary supplement, but is no longer being manufactured because some batches were found to contain prescription drug ingredients. While the individual herbs are still available, the PC-SPES mixture has not been reintroduced because further studies are needed to determine whether it's safe.

  • Shark cartilage. Shark cartilage contains a protein that has some ability to inhibit the formation of new blood vessels within tumors in sharks. Shark cartilage therapy is based on the theory that capsules containing shark cartilage will do the same in humans; stop and shrink cancerous tumors. However, these benefits haven't been shown in humans.

Talk with your doctor first
Because it's not always easy to tell which products may be unsafe, interact negatively with other medications or affect your overall cancer treatment, it's best to talk with your doctor before you take any dietary or herbal product.