Comprehensive Symptom Navigator

Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Hematologic and Oncologic Disorders

Symptoms:
painless swelling of lymph nodes; fever; night sweats; unexplained weight loss; fatigue; itchy skin; abdominal pain or swelling (in non-hodgkin lymphoma); cough or difficulty breathing (in cases affecting the chest)

Root Cause:
Malignant transformation of lymphocytes; Hodgkin lymphoma is characterized by Reed-Sternberg cells, whereas non-Hodgkin lymphoma involves a broader range of lymphocyte subtypes.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Lymph node biopsy, imaging (CT, PET scans), bone marrow biopsy, and blood tests.

Treatment:
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy (e.g., rituximab for CD20-positive lymphomas), and stem cell transplantation for refractory cases.

Medications:
Chemotherapy regimens include agents such as doxorubicin (anthracycline), bleomycin (antitumor antibiotic), vinblastine (microtubule inhibitor), and dacarbazine (alkylating agent) for Hodgkin lymphoma, and combinations like cyclophosphamide , prednisone , vincristine , and doxorubicin (CHOP) for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Hodgkin lymphoma accounts for about 6% of childhood cancers, while non-Hodgkin lymphoma represents 5-7%. Both are more common in adolescents than younger children.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, immunosuppression, Epstein-Barr virus infection (in Hodgkin lymphoma), and certain genetic conditions (e.g., Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, ataxia-telangiectasia).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent for early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma, with 5-year survival rates exceeding 90%. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma prognosis depends on subtype and stage, with survival rates ranging from 70-90%.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Complications include secondary malignancies, organ toxicity (from chemotherapy or radiation), infections, and relapse.

Hepatitis (Chronic, e.g., Hepatitis C)

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Chronic Diseases and Multimorbidity

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Disorders

Symptoms:
fatigue; jaundice; abdominal pain; dark urine; loss of appetite; nausea; itchy skin

Root Cause:
Chronic inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), leading to potential liver damage over time.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests to detect HCV antibodies and RNA, liver function tests, and liver biopsy or elastography for assessing liver damage.

Treatment:
Antiviral medications such as direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), and lifestyle changes to manage symptoms.

Medications:
Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) such as sofosbuvir , ledipasvir , glecaprevir /pibrentasvir , ribavirin in some cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Hepatitis C affects approximately 1-2% of the global population, with higher prevalence among older adults and those with a history of intravenous drug use.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
History of intravenous drug use, blood transfusions prior to 1992, needle sharing, unprotected sex, and tattoos or piercings in unsanitary conditions.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With appropriate antiviral therapy, the infection can be cured, but chronic infection can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer if untreated.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), and portal hypertension.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Specialty: Nephrology

Category: Chronic and Acute Kidney Diseases

Symptoms:
fatigue; swelling in ankles, feet, or hands; frequent urination, especially at night; nausea; loss of appetite; muscle cramps; itchy skin; shortness of breath

Root Cause:
Gradual loss of kidney function over time due to diabetes, hypertension, or other chronic conditions leading to decreased filtration capacity.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests (e.g., creatinine and eGFR), urine tests (e.g., protein or albumin levels), imaging studies (e.g., ultrasound), and kidney biopsy in select cases.

Treatment:
Managing underlying conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension), lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, and slowing progression with medications like ACE inhibitors or ARBs.

Medications:
Medications may include ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril ), angiotensin receptor blockers (e.g., losartan ), diuretics, phosphate binders, and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents for anemia.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 10% of the global population, with higher prevalence in individuals over 60.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity, family history of kidney disease, and advanced age.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; early detection and treatment can slow progression, but advanced CKD may progress to end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis or transplantation.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Anemia, electrolyte imbalances, cardiovascular disease, bone disorders, fluid overload, and progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Hodgkin Lymphoma

Specialty: Hematology

Category: Stem Cells and Disorders

Symptoms:
painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin; fever; night sweats; unexplained weight loss; fatigue; itchy skin; persistent cough or chest pain if mediastinal nodes are involved

Root Cause:
Malignant proliferation of Reed-Sternberg cells (abnormal B lymphocytes) in lymphatic tissue.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Lymph node biopsy (showing Reed-Sternberg cells), imaging (CT, PET scan), and blood tests (CBC, ESR).

Treatment:
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and in some cases, autologous stem cell transplantation.

Medications:
ABVD regimen (Adriamycin /doxorubicin , Bleomycin , Vinblastine , Dacarbazine ); brentuximab vedotin (anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody); nivolumab or pembrolizumab (immune checkpoint inhibitors). These include chemotherapy drugs, monoclonal antibodies, and immunotherapy agents.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 8,500 cases diagnosed annually in the U.S.; most common in individuals aged 15–40 or over 55.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Epstein-Barr virus infection, family history, weakened immune system, and HIV infection.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Highly treatable; five-year survival rate exceeds 85% with modern therapy.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Secondary malignancies, infertility, cardiotoxicity, and lung damage from treatment.

Bile Duct Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
jaundice; itchy skin; abdominal pain; dark urine; pale stools; unintended weight loss; fatigue

Root Cause:
Malignant growth in the bile ducts, often associated with chronic inflammation, bile duct abnormalities, or liver fluke infections.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging (MRI, CT, or MRCP), blood tests for tumor markers (CA 19-9, CEA), and biopsy.

Treatment:
Surgery (bile duct resection or liver transplantation), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy.

Medications:
Common chemotherapy drugs include gemcitabine and cisplatin ; targeted therapies like ivosidenib (IDH1 inhibitor) are used for specific mutations.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, with approximately 8,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), bile duct abnormalities, liver fluke infections, chronic liver disease, and older age.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Poor prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate of about 10-15% overall, but better if caught early.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Biliary obstruction, liver failure, and metastasis.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)

Specialty: Hematology

Category: Stem Cells and Disorders

Symptoms:
swollen lymph nodes; fever; night sweats; unintended weight loss; fatigue; itchy skin; abdominal pain or swelling

Root Cause:
Abnormal proliferation of lymphocytes, often linked to genetic mutations, immune system dysfunction, or exposure to certain infections (e.g., Epstein-Barr virus).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, blood tests, imaging studies (CT, PET), lymph node biopsy, bone marrow biopsy.

Treatment:
Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplant in advanced cases.

Medications:
Rituximab (monoclonal antibody), CHOP regimen (cyclophosphamide , doxorubicin , vincristine , prednisone ), other targeted therapies like ibrutinib or lenalidomide .

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 4% of all cancers in the U.S.; more common in men and older adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age over 60, weakened immune system, infections (HIV, EBV, H. pylori), exposure to chemicals or radiation, family history of lymphoma.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Varies widely based on subtype and stage; 5-year survival rate is around 73% overall but higher for indolent forms.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Increased risk of infections, secondary malignancies, organ dysfunction due to metastasis, treatment-related side effects.