B cells (B lymphocytes)

make antibodies to fight

an infection
T cells (T lymphocytes)
regulate the immune
system

HODGKINS
DISEASE
DEFINITION
- A malignant but often curable
disease of lymphatic tissues
typically causing painless
enlargement of the lymph nodes,
liver, and spleen.
- The malignant is the ReedSternberg cell, a gigantic tumor
cell that is morphologically unique
and is thought to be of immature
lymphoid origin.

Lymph nodes - important for the proper

functioning of the immune system, acting as
filters for foreign particles and cancer cells.
Lymph nodes contain 2 types of blood
cells:
1. Lymphocytes attack viruses ,
bacteria and other microorganisms
2. Macrophages engulf and
destroy foreign substances,
damaged cells and bits of broken
cells

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Lymph nodes according to Locations:

Neck cervical nodes
Chest (thoracic) cavity thoracic and
mediastinal nodes
Armpit axillary nodes
Abdominal cavity para-aortic
(peri0aortic) and mesenteric nodes
Groin inguinal nodes
Spleen
The largest lymphatic organ. Located
@upper-left abdomen. Function:
Makes, stores, and removes
lymphocytes
Filters the blood
Stores red blood cells
Destroys old red blood cells

Lymph clear, yellowish fluid that

carries white blood cells,antibodies,
and nutrients throughout the body.
Lymphocytes type of white blood
cell important to the bodys
immune system. 2 types:

Thymus
Located in the chest behind the
sternum. It is where the T-lymphocytes mature
and multiply

SYMPTOMATOLOGY

Tonsils
The tonsils are masses of lymphatic
tissue in the throat that contain lymphocytes.
Adenoids (pharyngeal tonsil)

Single, small mass of

lymphatic tissue in back of the
nose that contains lymphocytes.
Shrinks just before puberty

Bone Marrow
Soft, spongy tissue.
Contains immature blood
cells called stem cells. Stem cells
develop into:
RBC deliver oxygen to the
body
WBC protect the body from
infection
Platelets help blood to clot

Painless enlargement of one

or more lymph nodes on one
side of the neck
Individual nodes that are
painless and firm but not
hard
Dyspnea due to enlarged
nodes in the chest
Pruritus
Frequent viral infections
Cough
Pulmonary effusion
Jaundice
Abdominal pain
B symptoms (a cluster of
constitutional symptoms has
important prognostic
implications): fever,
drenching sweats, and
unintentional weight loss

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
Exams and Tests

ETIOLOGY

Cause is unknown

Risk factors:
Gender (more common in
men than in women)
Viral etiology ( fragments of
Epstein-Barr Virus)
Familial pattern/genetic
predisposition (first degree
relatives have higher than
normal frequency of the
disease)

Lab. Tests (CBC, platelet count,

ESR, liver and renal function
studies)
Bone scans
Blood and urine tests
Xray of the chest
Excisional lymph node biopsy
a sample of tissue is removed
from the lymph node and
examined
Computed Tomography Scan of
the abdomen, chest, and
pelvis diagnostic imaging
procedure that uses a

combination of xrays and

computer technology to
produce cross-sectional
images. CT scan shows
detailed images of an organ.

Positron Emission Tomography

(PET) Scan radioactivetagged glucose (sugar) is
injected into bloodstream.