If Hodgkin lymphoma spreads

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) cells can spread from the lymph nodes where the cancer started to other parts of the body. This spread is called metastasis.

Understanding how a type of cancer usually grows and spreads helps your healthcare team plan your treatment and future care. HL usually spreads in a predictable way, starting with the closest lymph nodes. This is different from non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), which doesn’t spread in a predictable way.

If HL spreads, it can spread to the following:

  • other groups of lymph nodes
  • spleen
  • liver
  • lungs and pleura
  • bone marrow
  • bones
  • skin

Expert review and references