Hodgkin's Disease

Hodgkin's disease is a little-understood cancer of lymph tissue, the tissue that houses much of the body's immune function. This tissue is organized into lymph nodes found in various parts of the body. In North America, Hodgkin's disease usually strikes either young boys or elderly men.

Often the only symptoms of Hodgkin's disease at first are night sweats with low-grade fever. In approximately 10 percent of cases, there is a skin itch in the early stages. As the disease progresses, it causes increasing inflammation. The lymph nodes become swollen, and there may be coughing, chest pain, and bone pain. Because the initial symptoms resemble those of many other disorders, a positive diagnosis for Hodgkin's disease can be made only by examining an enlarged lymph node.

Hodgkin's disease seems to be caused by a virus that has not yet been identified. The longer the infection lasts, which may be years or decades, the greater the chance that this disorder will develop. The body is more susceptible to the virus that appears to cause Hodgkin's after infection with Epstein-Barr virus or mononucleosis, and after tonsillectomy or appendectomy.

Although Hodgkin's disease is a cancer of the immune system, it usually affects only one group of white blood cells. This cancer attacks T cells and specifically T -helper cells, the cells that stimulate the immune response against infectious organisms. Also, it usually affects only a part of the lymphatic system, rather than spreading throughout it. The net effect of the disease on the immune system is that it does not greatly increase vulnerability to infection, except to herpes and viral warts.

Hodgkin's disease is classified into stages I through IV based on the number of lymph node regions involved. Medical treatment is set by stage.

Always use herbal medicine as part of a medically directed overall treatment plan for Hodgkin's disease. Especially in treating childhood Hodgkin's disease, always work with an herbal practitioner along with the physician; the dosages provided in this entry are meant for adults.

Supplements and herbs

• Astragalus Capsules. Take 500 - 1,000 mg 3 times daily.
  Stimulates T cells.
  Do not use astragalus if you have a fever or a skin infection.
• Siberian ginseng Pure Efeutherococcus senticosus extract. Take as directed on the label in 1/4 cup water.
  Increases production and stimulates activity of T cells.

Additional things you may do

• Avoid vitamin C in the form of sodium ascorbate. This sodium salt of vitamin C can induce a flare-up of Hodgkin's symptoms. Natural vitamin C, such as acerola, does not have this effect.
• Avoid ham and liver. These meats have been associated with increased risk for developing Hodgkin's disease, and may worsen symptoms.
• Early stages of Hodgkin's disease are usually treated with radiation therapy. Later stages are usually treated with "MOPP" chemotherapy, named after the chemicals used in treatment.
• Beef spleen extracts can reduce the loss of immune defenses during chemotherapy and radiation treatment for Hodgkin's disease. The active protein is called thymopoeitein III, splenopentin, or Dac-SP5. A common brand is Golden Spleen 500 (Enzymatic Therapy).
• Beef thymus extracts can reduce the risk of viral infection, especially herpes, during treatment for Hodgkin's. A common brand is Complete Thymic Formula (Preventive Therapeutics).

Other beneficial herbs

• Rosy Periwinkle

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