Cancer is a condition when the cells start multiplying without control. Cancer can occur anywhere in the body and can spread to any part as well. One such cancer is the lymphoma which affects the white blood cells called lymphocytes. There are two types of lymphomas namely: Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. These two types perform, spread and respond to treatments in unique ways hence it is important to diagnose the type of lymphoma before any treatment starts. Let us understand Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and various types.

Where does the Hodgkin’s Lymphoma start?
Hodgkin’s lymphoma affects the lymph tissues and there are seen in several parts of your body. So, practically it can affect the following parts.

• Lymph node
  The bean-sized collection of lymphocytes & various other cells which form a part of the immune system is the most obvious place where Hodgkin’s can occur.

• Lymph vessel
  Lymph vessels are tiny tube-like structures that connect the lymph node and they are carriers of immune cells via a clear fluid called lymph. Lymph is collected from various parts of the body that gets deposited into the bloodstream.

• Spleen
  Spleen is located below the lower left side of the ribs. Spleen produces immune cells and contributes to the immune system of the body.

It has been observed that Hodgkin’s Lymphoma usually spreads through lymph vessels to lymph nodes and then to another lymph node. However, in some rare cases, it has been found to invade the bloodstream that aids in spreading to other parts of the body that don’t produce the lymphocytes like the lungs, liver.

What are the types of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?
The most common kind of lymphoma is the Classic Hodgkin’s Lymphoma which accounts for nine out of ten cases of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The cells with cancer in the Classic Hodgkin’s Lymphoma are called Reed Sternberg Cells and are nothing but abnormal B lymphocytes. People having classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) have reduced Reed Sternberg Cells Count and have a higher count of immune cells causing the lymph nodes to swell.

Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma are of four subtypes

• Nodular Sclerosis Hodgkin Lymphoma (NSCHL)
  NSCHL is the most common among teens and youngsters. However, it can affect adults too and they start in the lymph nodes situated in the chest or the neck.

• Mixed Cellularity Hodgkin Lymphoma
  MCCHL is the 2nd commonly diagnosed type of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and it is often seen in people suffering from HIV infection. It can occur even in children as well as adults. It usually arises in the top half of the body where the lymph nodes are present.

• Lymphocyte Rich Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (LRCHL)
  A very uncommon form and it usually happens in the top half in some lymph nodes.
• Lymphocyte depleted Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
  The rarest form of lymphoma and is usually seen in elderly people that are affected by the HIV virus. This type of lymphoma is more aggressive than any other type and usually affects the lymph nodes in the stomach, liver, bone marrow and spleen.

• Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL)
  This type pf Hodkin’s Lymphoma occurs as rare as 5 % of all the different types of lymphoma. The cancer cells are called popcorn cells which are variations of Reed Sternberg Cells. NLPHL affects the lymph nodes around the underarms and neck.