Hodgkin Lymphoma

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a malignancy of lymphocytes. Approximately half of all cases are due to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) of which being HIV positive is also a risk factor. Hodgkin’s lymphoma can be divided into two subtypes, classical and nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The majority of classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma are composed of a mixed inflammatory infiltrate composed of lymphocytes, eosinophils, fibroblasts, macrophages and plasma cells as opposed to the classical Reed-Sternberg cells. Nodular, lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma is a rare entity and accounts for less than 5% of cases. It is characterised by the presence of lymphocyte-predominant cells which expressed CD20, CD79a and EMA but not CD30 or CD15 which is expressed in the classical type. Overall Hodgkin’s lymphoma has a high cure rate and overall survival. However, exposure to radiation and chemotherapy in those patients diagnosed at a young age increases their risk of other malignancies later in life.