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Hodgkin lymphoma

Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that happens when something goes wrong with the development of a type of white blood cell called a B-lymphocyte.

The abnormal lymphocytes may cluster together in your lymph nodes (glands), leading to lumps in your neck, armpit or groin. Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) can also mean your body finds it harder to fight infections.

There are two main types of HL:

classical Hodgkin lymphoma - 95% of people have this type - and
nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL).

This section has information about classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

What is Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)?

If you've got HL, your body is producing lymphocytes which don’t work properly and can also stop your bone marrow producing healthy blood cells. In practically all cases we don’t know what causes Hodgkin lymphoma, but we do know it's most common in people 15-25 years and over 50. It's also slightly more common in men, people with some health conditions and those with a family history of blood or lymphatic cancer.

HL symptoms and diagnosis

The most common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is a swelling in the neck, armpit or groin. The swelling is usually painless, although some people find that it aches. Some people with Hodgkin lymphoma also have other more general symptoms which are called B symptoms, like unexplained fevers, weight loss and drenching night sweats.If your doctor thinks you might have lymphoma, they’ll send you to hospital for tests including a blood test and lymph node biopsy. You might also need some scans.

HL treatment and side effects

Treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) usually includes chemotherapy and in some cases radiotherapy and steroids. If HL doesn't respond well to treatment you may have higher doses of chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant.

Living with HL

There’s a lot of support you – and those close to you – might need if you’ve been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). As well as medical information about your condition, other information will be important – such as how to tell people, how to look after yourself emotionally and physically and practical advice about things like finances.> You'll find information below and in our Living with blood cancer section

HL clinical trials and research

Although the outcome for people with blood cancer continues to improve, there's still a long way to go to improve treatments and quality of life for people affected by blood cancer.Our researchers are making discoveries that will have a positive impact for people with Hodgkin lymphoma.> Find out more about Bloodwise’s Hodgkin lymphoma research