hodgkin's disease: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowMedical / Technical
Quick answer
What does “hodgkin's disease” mean?
A specific type of cancer of the lymphatic system (lymphoma), characterized by the presence of abnormal cells called Reed-Sternberg cells.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific type of cancer of the lymphatic system (lymphoma), characterized by the presence of abnormal cells called Reed-Sternberg cells.
Also known as Hodgkin lymphoma. It is one of two main categories of lymphoma (the other being non-Hodgkin lymphoma), distinguished by its pathology and generally having a high cure rate, especially when diagnosed early.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both variants use the terms 'Hodgkin's disease' and 'Hodgkin lymphoma' interchangeably, though the trend towards 'lymphoma' is universal.
Connotations
None specific to region.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined to medical/health discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “hodgkin's disease” in a Sentence
[Patient] was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease.Hodgkin's disease affects [the lymphatic system].The treatment for Hodgkin's disease involves [chemotherapy].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hodgkin's disease” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Hodgkin's disease prognosis is good.
- She is a Hodgkin's disease specialist.
American English
- The Hodgkin's disease prognosis is favorable.
- He is a Hodgkin's disease researcher.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and public health research and literature.
Everyday
Used in personal health discussions, news articles about health, and charitable fundraising contexts.
Technical
The primary context. Used in clinical diagnosis, oncology, pathology, and patient education materials.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hodgkin's disease”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hodgkin's disease”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hodgkin's disease”
- Misspelling: 'Hodgkins' (apostrophe error)
- Confusing it with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a different group of diseases.
- Using 'Hodgkin's' as a plural (e.g., 'two Hodgkin's').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a specific type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's immune system.
The key difference is the presence of distinctive abnormal cells called Reed-Sternberg cells, which are found in Hodgkin lymphoma but not in non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Yes, it is considered one of the most curable forms of cancer, especially when diagnosed in its early stages. Treatment typically involves chemotherapy, radiation, or both.
It has a bimodal age distribution, most commonly affecting young adults (ages 15-35) and older adults (over 55).
A specific type of cancer of the lymphatic system (lymphoma), characterized by the presence of abnormal cells called Reed-Sternberg cells.
Hodgkin's disease is usually medical / technical in register.
Hodgkin's disease: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒdʒ.kɪnz dɪˌziːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑːdʒ.kɪnz dɪˌziːz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of Dr. Thomas HODGkin who discovered it + DISEASE of the lymph nodes. 'Hodgkin's' holds the 'g' key to this gland-related disease.
Conceptual Metaphor
Disease as an invader / unwanted growth. Often framed as a 'battle' to be fought.
Practice
Quiz
What is the modern, preferred medical term for Hodgkin's disease?