Hematologic Malignancies Program

Hodgkin's Disease

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What is Hodgkin's Disease?

Ann Butler Zimrin, M.D.

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Hodgkin's disease is the most common type of lymphoma, a kind of cancer that develops in the lymph system. It is named after Dr. Thomas Hodgkin who first identified the disease in 1832. There are many other types of lymphoma, and they are grouped together and called non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

The lymph system is part of the immune system and is made up of thin tubes that branch, like blood vessels, into all parts of the body, including the skin. Lymph vessels carry lymph, a colorless, watery fluid that contains lymphocytes. Along the network of vessels are groups of small, bean-shaped organs called lymph nodes. Clusters of lymph nodes are found in the underarm, pelvis, neck and abdomen. The spleen (an organ in the upper abdomen that makes lymphocytes and filters old blood cells from the blood, the thymus (a small organ beneath the breastbone), and the tonsils (an organ in the throat) are also part of the lymph system.

Because there is lymph tissue throughout the body, Hodgkin's disease can start in almost any part of the body. The cancer can spread to almost any organ or tissue, including the liver, bone marrow (the spongy tissue inside the large bones of the body that makes blood cells), and spleen.


This page was last updated on: March 3, 2008.