NFL
Foster Moreau forced to step away from NFL: What is Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
The 25-year-old was taking part in a routine free agency medical when staff at the New Orleans Saints discovered the cancer.
NFL tight end Foster Moreau has announced that he has been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and will step away from the game while he receives treatment.
The condition, a type of cancer that affects the body’s lymphatic system, was discovered during a routine physical conducted during his free agency by NFL side the New Orleans Saints.
Moreau wrote on Twitter: “Through somewhat of a miraculous process, this Free Agency period has been life changing for me. During a routine physical conducted by the Saint’s medical team down in New Orleans, I’ve come to learn that I have Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and will be stepping away from football.”
He continued: “At this time to fight a new opponent: Cancer. I’m grateful for the support and thankful for people who have stood firm with me.
“There hasn’t been a single step I’ve taken without hundreds of people lighting the path before me, and I will continue to seek their guidance.”
What is Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a relatively uncommon form of cancer that that spreads through a network of vessels and glands across the body. The condition affects the lymphatic system, a key part of the immune system used to fight off infection.
The lymphatic system allows infection-fighting white blood cells (lymphocytes) to move through the body to keep you healthy. When an individual suffers from Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a particular type of lymphocyte multiplies in an abnormal way and disrupts the lymph nodes that are crucial to the lymphatic system.
As lymphocytes become less effective your body becomes less able to fight off potential infections, leaving you at greater risk of illness and disease.
Can you recover from Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
As it is a type of cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma is most commonly treated using a course of chemotherapy, often followed by radiotherapy. It is one of the most aggressive and quick-spreading forms of cancer, but it is one of the easiest to treat if it is caught in time.
Once diagnosed, around 80% of people with Hodgkin lymphoma live for at least five years and most sufferers will be cured. However even recovered patients often suffer long-time consequences, such as infertility and a heightened risk of further cancer diagnoses.