The 5 Major Types of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a type of cancer of the lymphocytes. Found in the lymphatic system of the human body’s immunity network, there are two primary types of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Biopsies classify them as:

1. Classical Hodgkin’s Lymphoma or
2. Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma

This categorization is carried out based on which cells are affected, who are affected, which part of the body is affected, and how the mutated cells misbehave in the body.

Classical Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

The majority of lymphoma cases pertain to this classical type. Anomalous Reed-Sternberg cells which invariably have their origins in malignant B cells in the lymph nodes affects people diagnosed with this type of cancer. Classical Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is further classified into four subdivisions:

• Nodular sclerosis: Affecting a majority of women and especially young people, nodular sclerosis affects people in developed countries. The lymphocytes in the neck, armpits, or chest are primarily affected. These invariably cause the lymph nodes to swell and result in scarring them too.
• Mixed cellularity: Affecting both men and women, mixed cellularity Hodgkin’s lymphoma is caused by an Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection. In the body, the region usually affected is the abdomen. Affecting more people in developing countries, mixed cellularity Hodgkin’s disease mostly attacks children younger than 15 years or people older than 55 years of age, and those with an ailing and fragile immune system.
• Lymphocyte-rich: Quite uncommon, the Lymphocyte-Rich Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma affects twice the number of middle-aged men as compared to women. Occurring mostly in the upper part of the body, this rare type of Hodgkin’s lymphoma responds well to treatment, and the survival rates are considerably high.
• Lymphocyte depleted: Infecting old people or those with HIV the most, the Lymphocyte Depleted Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is extremely rare. Finding numerous fibrous tissues in the lymphocytes is common in this type of cancer. It affects the lower part of the body most such as the abdomen, spleen, liver, and bone marrow. Detection of this subcategory Hodgkin’s disease is normally done at quite an advanced stage.

Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma

It is quite uncommon people are affected by the Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma. And even amongst those who are affected, more elderly people than youngsters are troubled by this type of lymphocyte cancer. When diagnosed and properly treated in the initial stages, people suffering from the Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma enjoy a better chance of healing and getting better. The presence of large abnormal popcorn-like cells makes it a separate classification from the classical type of lymphoma.

Whichever kind of Hodgkin’s Disease a person is infected with, many key factors such as the age of the patient, their overall health condition, the size of the tumor, the specific stage of the tumor, how much the tumor has metastasized, can the cancerous lump be removed, how the body responds to cancer therapy and specific treatments, and whether the tumor recurs or not, determines the prognosis, survival rate and quality of life of the person who is suffering from Hodgkin’s lymphoma.