Symptoms
The most common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma [4] is the swelling of the lymph nodes. The lymph nodes are not far beneath the skin, so the swelling is usually externally visible as lumps on the skin. The lumps are usually painless and can be observed on the sides of the neck, armpit, or groin.
Other symptoms of Hodgkin disease may include:
- Itchy skin
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Fever and night sweats
- Pain in the lymph nodes following alcohol consumption
- Chest pain and persistent cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Spleen enlargement
Causes
The precise cause of Hodgkin lymphoma is not known. What is known is that it begins with a genetic mutation in the lymphocyte cells. This mutation turns the cells cancerous and makes them multiply rapidly.
While the cause is not known, certain factors [5] are known to increase your risk of the disease. These include:
- Age
- Sex
- Family history
- Previous infection with Epstein-Barr virus