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College Student's Persistent Illness Leads to Cancer Diagnosis
6 Nov
Summary
- A college student's persistent symptoms were misdiagnosed for months.
- A biopsy revealed stage four Hodgkin lymphoma in July 2024.
- Mono infection may be linked to an increased risk of this cancer.
Aaron Delgado, a college student from Dallas, Texas, experienced prolonged illness symptoms starting in the fall of 2023. Initially diagnosed with mononucleosis, his fatigue and night sweats persisted, along with a noticeably swollen lymph node in his neck by September 2023.
Despite multiple doctor visits and tests suggesting no irregularities, Delgado's symptoms continued unabated until the summer of 2024. A biopsy of the swollen lymph node in July 2024 led to the devastating diagnosis of stage four Hodgkin lymphoma.
Oncologists believe Delgado's cancer may be a result of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which causes mono and is an oncovirus linked to increased cancer risk. While EBV is common, the risk of developing Hodgkin lymphoma from it is still considered small.
Delgado underwent six months of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. He is now raising awareness about Hodgkin lymphoma on social media, urging others to advocate for their health and listen to their bodies. His family provided crucial support throughout his challenging journey.
