Vodka-triggered neck pain leads to Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis at 22
A 22-year-old medical assistant in Philadelphia began experiencing throat and neck pain with every drink, initially chalking it up to vodka intolerance. When symptoms worsened and a lump appeared, a CT scan and biopsy diagnosed Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer that pressed on her windpipe. She underwent six rounds of chemotherapy from December 2025 to February 2026, with radiotherapy to follow, and is urging others to advocate for comprehensive testing even when symptoms seem linked to harmless causes. Hodgkin lymphoma is rare overall but most commonly affects teens and young adults, with a high five-year survival rate when treated promptly.