Hodgkin's disease

Last edited 05/2020 and last reviewed 11/2023

First described by Sir Thomas Hodgkin in 1832 Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a malignant proliferation of the lymphoid system.

  • the disease is characterised by the presence of multinucleated giant cells (Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg - HRS) within a cellular infiltrate of non-malignant inflammatory cells that make up the majority of the tumour tissue on histological examination  (1)
  • HRS cells have been identified clonal B cells that lack typical B-cell surface antigens (1)

HL can be classified as:

  • nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma (NLPHL)
    • represents about 5% of all cases of the disease
    • HRS cells are not present
  • classical HL - this is further dived into four sub-types
    • nodular sclerosis - accounts for 70% of all classical HL
    • mixed cellularity
    • lymphocyte-rich
    • lymphocyte-depleted (1)

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