He lymphatic cancer It is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is responsible for transporting fluids and immune system cells throughout the body and fighting infections and other diseases. In this blog, we will explore the relationship between genetics and Hodgkin lymphoma.
Although the exact cause of Hodgkin lymphoma is unknown, studies suggest that Genetic inheritance can play an important role in its development. If you want to learn more about this disease, its symptoms, causes, how it is diagnosed, and the relationship of Hodgkin lymphoma with genetics, we'll tell you here.
What is Hodgkin lymphoma?
Hodgkin's disease or Hodgkin's lymphoma is one of the many types of cancer that begin in the lymphatic system. Its origin occurs when lymphocytes, commonly known as white blood cells, although white blood cells include other cell types such as neutrophils and basophils, begin to grow uncontrollably, causing inflammation of the lymph nodes.
This disease affects people of any age, although it is more common in two specific groups: those aged 20 to 39 and those over 65 [1]. Hodgkin lymphoma It is one of the most curable cancers there is., However, the success of its treatment depends on various factors such as sex, type of lymphoma, stage and age at the time of diagnosis [2].
The statistics for this type of cancer are encouraging. The survival rate for Hodgkin lymphoma has been steadily increasing since 1975, largely due to improvements in treatment. Between 2010 and 2019, Their mortality was reduced by 4.51% per year [3].
What are the symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma?
The most commonly reported symptoms in people with Hodgkin lymphoma include the following:
- Painless swelling of the lymph nodes on the neck, armpits or groin.
- Fatigue persistent.
- Fever for no apparent reason.
- Night sweats excessive.
- Weight loss for no known reason.
- Intense itching or burning sensation on the skin, especially after showering or drinking alcohol.
- Pain in the lymph nodes after alcohol consumption.
Diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma
There are a number of tests that are usually performed to diagnose Hodgkin lymphoma, some of which are the following:
- Physical examination and medical history: with the intention of determining the symptoms and identifying swollen lymph nodes.
- BiopsyA lymph node or part of it is removed and analyzed in the laboratory to confirm if cancer is present and what type it is.
- Analytical tests, including a complete blood count.
- Imaging studiesThe interior of the body is observed using X-rays, sound waves, magnetic fields, or radioactive particles.
Causes of Hodgkin lymphoma
There are some known risk factors for the development of Hodgkin lymphoma, but this does not mean that people who have them will suffer from the disease, nor that those who lack them may not suffer from it at some point in their lives.
Known causes of Hodgkin lymphoma include:
- Epstein-Barr virus infection (EBV): This is the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis and which most of the population has contracted at some point during their childhood or adolescence. The associated risk is very small (1 in 1000) [4].
- Age: more common in early adulthood (20-39 years) and in people over 65 years of age.
- SexThe risk is slightly higher in men than in women.
- Weakened immune systemPeople with HIV, autoimmune diseases, or who take immunosuppressant drugs after an organ transplant are more likely to suffer from the disease.
- Family historySiblings of young people diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma have a higher risk of developing it; the risk is even higher in the case of identical twins.
What is the relationship between Hodgkin lymphoma and genetics?
A study conducted by researchers at St. Jude Hospital in the United States, and published in the journal Blood, yields results that highlight the fundamental role of genetic predisposition in understanding Hodgkin lymphoma.
The authors concluded that There are inherited genetic variants that predispose people to develop this hematological malignancy in most families with diagnosed cases [5].
If you want to know your genetic predisposition to Hodgkin lymphoma, you can do so by taking a test. genetic health test. At Zogen, we generate a detailed report on your probability of suffering from this and other types of cancer.
In addition, you'll learn what other diseases you're genetically predisposed to and find out, among many other things, which medications your body would respond best to should you ever need them. Purchase the test on our website and discover what your genes have to say about you.
Literature
[1] MedlinePlus in Spanish [Internet]. Hodgkin's Lymphoma – NIH: National Cancer Institute [accessed Feb. 2023] Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/hodgkinlymphoma.html#:~:text=%C2%BFQu%C3%A9%20es%20el%20linfoma%20de,cuerpo%20de%20infecciones%20y%20enfermedades.
[2] Hodgkin's Lymphoma – Healthwise Staff – Medical Evaluation:
- Gregory Thompson MD – Internal Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD – Family Medicine & Douglas A. Stewart MD – Medical Oncology [published May 2022; accessed Feb 2023] Available at: https://www.cigna.com/es-us/knowledge-center/hw/temas-de-salud/linfoma-de-hodgkin-abo8543#:~:text=El%20linfoma%20de%20Hodgkin%20es%20un%20c%C3%A1ncer%20muy%20curable%20comparado,edad%20cuando%20se%20lo%20diagnostiquen.
[3] Hodgkin Lymphoma: Statistics – American Society of Clinical Oncology – Approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board [published Feb. 2022; accessed Feb. 2023] Available at:
https://www.cancer.net/es/tipos-de-c%C3%A1ncer/linfoma-de-hodgkin/estad%C3%ADsticas
[4] Risk factors for Hodgkin lymphoma – The American Cancer Society [updated May 2018; accessed Feb 2023] Available at: https://www.cancer.org/es/cancer/linfoma-hodgkin/causas-riesgos-prevencion/factores-de-riesgo.html
[5] Inherited genetic variants increase the risk of Hodgkin lymphoma - LabMedica Spanish Editorial Team [updated Sep. 2022; accessed Feb. 2023] Available at: https://www.labmedica.es/hematologia/articles/294794645/variantes-geneticas-heredadas-aumentan-el-riesgo-de-linfoma-de-hodgkin.html
[6] Hodgkin Lymphoma: Diagnosis - American Society of Clinical Oncology - Approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board [published Apr. 2019; accessed Feb. 2023] Available at:
https://www.cancer.net/es/tipos-de-cancer/linfoma-de-hodgkin/diagn%C3%B3stico
Source: https://24genetics.es/el-linfoma-de-hodgkin-es-genetico/
