Understanding Hodgkin Lymphoma
- It was revealed at San Diego Comic-Con over the weekend that actor Michael C. Hall, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma (a type of blood cancer) back in 2010 and has been in full remission, is set to reprise his role as Dexter Morgan in the new sequel series and take on a narrator role in the a prequel series.
- Lymphomas are cancers that begin in a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. The two main categories of lymphomas are non-Hodgkin – which is far more common and Hodgkin lymphoma. Fortunately, Hodgkin lymphoma is “highly curable” according to the National Cancer Institute.
- Common symptoms for lymphomas may include unexplained weight loss, fevers, night sweats, and painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin.
- Advocating for your own health can lead to better patient outcomes. When you suspect your symptoms are not fully considered or outright dismissed, consider seeing a different doctor.
The 53-year-old actor, singer, and songwriter, who is best known for his roles in the iconic TV series “Dexter” and HBO drama series “Six Feet Under,” surprised fans with his recent appearance at San Diego Comic-Con on Friday.
Read MoreAccording to The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount Global co-CEO and president/CEO, Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios Chris McCarthy made the following statement amid the exciting news, “We are thrilled to have the brilliant Michael C. Hall reprise his iconic role as Dexter Morgan in Showtime’s most successful series ever.View this post on Instagram
“While Dexter: Resurrection will appeal to the tens of millions of longtime fans, Dexter: Original Sin will introduce a whole new generation of viewers into this iconic series by starting from the beginning, which is sure to satisfy existing audiences as well.”
In “Original Sin” Hall will be narrating the character of a younger Dexter, a role played by actor Patrick Gibson. “Original Sin” will be based in the ’90s as “Resurrection” will be set in present day.
Gibson told the The Associated Press in an interview after the panel, referring to “Original Sin,” “This weekend there were a lot of surprises. They set up the characters in season one to have such rich inner life and so much complexity that even with eight seasons, there’s so much more to explore.”
“Original Sin” is expected to release in December 2024 and “Resurrection” will begin filming in January for a summer 2025 launch.
Hall said during his Comic-Con appearance, “It’s pretty heady. I’m having flashbacks of the first time I came to Comic-Con. We were in this hall. That was … 75 years ago? It’s amazing to still be alive,” as per Deadline.
“I cannot wait to watch this show. To a certain degree, I have a sense of what is coming,” he continued. “I’ve spent so much time with this character and to go back to have those sort of imaginative blanks filled in this technicolor show … It’s amazing.”
Michael C Hall’s Battle With Hodgkin Lymphoma
Michael Hall, who lost his father to prostate cancer when he wast just 11 years old and his dad was 39, was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at age 38 during the fourth season of the “Dexter” series and kept his cancer journey private until filming had finished up.
After undergoing chemotherapy, he was able to return to work to start shooting the fifth season as scheduled.
Hall has been in remission for over 13 years now. And he’s since been more open about his journey with cancer, as he previously told The New York Times,” I think I’ve been preoccupied since I was 11, and my father died, with the idea of the age 39: would I live that long? What would that be like?
“To discover that I had the Hodgkin was alarming, but at the same time I felt kind of bemused, like: ‘Wow. Huh. How interesting.'”
Expert Resources On Lymphomas
- When Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Relapses: How Chemotherapy Can Help
- ‘This Is Really Practice-Changing’: New Therapy Provides Hope for More Patients With Large B-Cell Lymphoma
- Exciting New Developments in Treatment For Mantle Cell Lymphoma
- What Are the Side Effects of CAR T-Cell Therapy for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma?
- Imbruvica Treats Relapsed Lymphoma in a Different Way
- What to Expect During Your Child’s Lymphoma Treatment
Learning About Hodgkin Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system. There are more than 40 different types of lymphoma, and Hodgkin lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma are two sub-categories with the latter being more common.
The type of white blood cells linked to the disease determines the distinction. If doctors are unable to detect the Reed-Sternberg cell a giant cell derived from B lymphocytes then it is categorized as Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
According to the National Cancer Institute, Hodgkin Lymphoma “most frequently presents in lymph node groups above the diaphragm and/or in mediastinal lymph nodes.”
Lymphoma Biopsy: What to Expect
In a previous interview, Dr. Elise Chong, a medical oncologist at Penn Medicine, explained that Hodgkin lymphoma is most often seen in younger adults. And although less common, it is generally easier to cure than Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Dr. Chong also said lymphoma symptoms can be difficult to detect. “The symptoms of lymphoma, especially if you have a low-grade lymphoma, often are no symptoms. People say, but I feel completely fine, and that’s very normal,” she explains.
Finding Lymphoma Early: Do you Know the Symptoms and Risks?
What Are Your Risks?
“The patients who are diagnosed with lymphoma early, typically it’s luck,” Dr. Chong says. They may have had a symptom that made their doctor check them, or the cancer showed up on a scan or blood test that was done for another reason.
Until an effective screening test does become available, you can increase your odds of finding lymphoma early by knowing whether you’re at risk, and staying alert for symptoms.
You might be at higher risk for this cancer if you:
- Have been infected with the HIV or Epstein-Barr virus
- Had an organ transplant
- Have a family history of lymphoma
- Have been treated with radiation or chemotherapy drugs for cancer in the past
- Have an autoimmune disease
Let your doctor know about these risks, so he or she can keep a close eye on you. You may need more frequent checkups and tests.
Also watch out for lymphoma symptoms. The most common ones are:
- Swollen glands in your neck, armpit, or groin
- Fever
- Chills
- Night sweats
- Weight loss without trying
- Feeling tired
- Swelling in your belly
Many different conditions, including infections, cause these same symptoms. So don’t panic if you have them. It’s most likely something more benign, but still worth getting checked out. It’s also a good idea to see your doctor for any unusual symptoms, even if they’re not on this list.
Advocating for Your Health
Patients advocating for their health can lead to better patient outcomes. This is especially important when you find your doctor has misdiagnosed your symptoms.
WATCH: Advocating for your health.
A component of advocating for yourself in healthcare includes going back to the doctor multiple times and even getting multiple opinions.
Dr. Steven Rosenberg is the National Cancer Institute Chief of Surgery, and he previously told SurvivorNet about the advantages of getting input from multiple doctors.
WATCH: The value of multiple opinions.
“If I had any advice for you following a cancer diagnosis, it would be, first, to seek out multiple opinions as to the best care. Because finding a doctor who is up to the latest of information is important,” Dr. Rosenberg said.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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