Introduction
Hodgkin’s disease or Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) refers to a group of unusual B-cell lymphomas that are characterized by the presence of a specific cell type - Reed-Sternberg (RS) cell.
- Accounts for 40% of adult lymphomas. Appears mostly in adults, and more in men.
- As with other lymphomas -- the tumor cells are in the lymphatic tissues (not bone marrow)
- Specifically, the germinal centers
- Unlike NHL, usually a single lymph node or lymph node group are involved
- Spreads from one lymph node to the other (contiguity)
- Painless swelling of the lymph nodes can be seen
- Easy diagnosis -- a presence of RS cells
- They are the tumor cells -- the nearby lymphocytes are not malignant
- Chromosome 9 abnormalities often seen
- Involved with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)
- Relatively good prognosis.
Comparison with NHL
| Hodgkin's |
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