The news recently that a mass found in the chest of 26-year-old Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry was Hodgkin’s disease stunned the NFL.
Berry, a former two-time All-American at the University of Tennessee and the fifth-overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, was the picture of health and had been through all sorts of medical testing since joining the League. That a mass had been found after he left a game in November complaining of chest pain was a shock. That it was later diagnosed as Hodgkin’s disease was stunning.
That’s because Hodgkin’s is exceedingly rare “” it accounts for less than one percent of all cancer cases in the U.S. and carries an ominous reputation. Until a few decades ago, there was no treatment for it even though doctors have known about it since it was discovered by its namesake, Dr. Thomas Hodgkin, in 1832. Without treatment, it had a high mortality rate.
What is it?
Hodgkin’s disease is a lymphoma, or a cancer of lymph nodes and lymphatic tissues. It occurs when infection-fighting cells in lymph nodes begin to mutate and spread throughout the body through the lymphatic circulation. It’s most often seen in young people aged 15 to 34.
What is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is much more common and encompasses a group of more than 30 cancers of the lymphatic system, but differs from Hodgkin’s in one important aspect “” the absence of the Reed-Sternberg cell. This is a specific type of cancer cell that is the hallmark of Hodgkin’s. Non-Hodgkin’s variants also differ in their biological behavior, such as a tendency for aggressive growth, which also reflects in a greater mortality rate.
What are the symptoms of Hodgkin’s disease?
The most common symptom is a noticeable swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, underarm or groin. More often than not, that swelling is painless. Fevers, night sweats, lethargy, itching skin or unexplained weight loss are also often red flags when it comes to undiagnosed cases of Hodgkin’s disease. If any of the symptoms persist for two or more weeks, it’s time to see your doctor.
Treatment options
Fifty years ago, fewer than 40 percent of Hodgkin’s patients survived the disease. These days, thanks to aggressive forms of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, more than 75 percent of new cases reported in the U.S. each year are treatable. Like with most diseases, the chances for a recovery improve significantly the earlier you are diagnosed.
In Berry’s case, it wasn’t caught as early as hoped, but the football player’s prognosis is still good. He’s out for the rest of this season, but doctors are confident he’ll be healthy enough to return in time for next season. How it affects the rest of his career is not clear, but there’s precedent of an athlete in his prime returning to form.
Hall of Fame hockey player Mario Lemieux was diagnosed in 1993, at the height of his career. He underwent radiation and other treatment and missed about two months, and later took a leave of absence. He ultimately returned to the Pittsburgh Penguins to finish his career.
Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo was also diagnosed with Hodgkin’s in 2008 and was successfully treated with chemotherapy. He was voted to his first All-Star game this past season.
We’re sure to hear a lot more about Berry through the coming months. We hope he has a speedy recovery!
