Hodgkins VS Sarcoidosis : Symptoms, Investigations and treatment

Dear Ask The Doctor: How can you distinguish between hodgkins disease and sarcoidosis? They are very similar in nature. We have gotten two different diagnosis one for each from different doctors. Is there something specifically different between the two? One is much more serious disease than the other and much more severe treatments. Thank you for your response.

Dear Tea: Sacrcoidosis and Hodgkins disease are two completely different conditions characterised by different and some overlapping symptoms. Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous condition ( formation of granulomas ) which affects different systems of the body and 90% of the time involves the lunds. It typically affects young aged people. The symptoms may manifest according to which body organ has been affected but in general the symptoms are general malaise, fatigue, shortness of breath, fevers, night sweats , chest pains , eye problems ,and skin involvement. This condition is diagnosed by blood tests which show hypercalcemia ( increased calcium levels) , decreased leucocyte count ie decreased white blood cells,and an increased ESR ( erythrocyte sedimentation rate). Biopsy of the granulomas or lymph nodes affected is the best way to get the definitive diagnosis. The only thing common that it has with hodgkins is that like hodgkins disease it has the potential to involve the lymph nodes too.  The treatement for sarcoidosis depends on the stage of the disease and can resolve spontaneously or may need steroid treatment.

Hodgkins disease is a  malignant condition of the lymphoid cells . It usually affects in a bimodal pattern ie individuals in the 20's or in individuals greater than 50 years of age. The typical symptoms are lyphadenopathy ( lymph node enlargement - usually non painfull and asymptomatic) It can infiltrate the lungs and lead to shortness of breath and cough. It starts in a single lymph node and then spreads to adjacent lymph nodes. The diagnosis is made by fine needle aspiration or lymph node excision biopsy along with further imaging like a chest xray, ct scan +/- MRI to see the extent of the disease. Treatment again depends on staging ( ie the extent of the spread of the condition ) and ranges from chemotherapy to agressive bone marrow transplant if not successfull.

Since you have not given me a synopsis of your symptoms it is difficult for me to explain or determine what condition you have but I hope that the information above helps you. All the best.