Patient's Itching Led to Stage 2 Hodgkin Lymphoma Diagnosis After Months of Dismissed Symptoms

A woman in Virginia experienced persistent itching that began in her hands and feet and worsened in the mornings and evenings. The itching progressed to become constant, resulting in severe scratching that caused new wounds and scabs each day. She reported being unable to sleep at night and struggling to function during the day due to exhaustion.

Initial attempts to address the symptoms included eliminating potential irritants and using antihistamines. Even at the highest doses of antihistamines and strong steroids, the itching continued and her skin felt like it was on fire. She visited her primary doctor, an allergist, a dermatologist, a rheumatologist and an oncologist, undergoing extensive blood work and patch testing.

Different doctors proposed various explanations, including mast cell activation syndrome, an autoimmune condition, anxiety, dry skin or mold exposure. One dermatologist suggested treatment for scabies and parasites, which she rejected because neither her husband nor her son showed any symptoms.

She stated that she knew the issue was not an allergic or environmental reaction, nor was it simply dry skin.

By January, after hearing a story about another person with similar itching symptoms who was later diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, she noticed a small lump in her neck. She returned to her doctor and requested testing to rule out Hodgkin Lymphoma. In February, she was referred to an oncologist who initially suggested the symptoms might stem from fleas from her animals, an explanation she found dismissive.

Despite reluctance from the oncologist, she underwent an ultrasound, biopsy and CT scan. The scans revealed swollen lymph nodes in her neck and armpit. The first biopsy was inconclusive, leading to surgical removal and testing of a lymph node from her armpit.