Hodgkin's disease

Hodgkin's disease is a type of lymphoma described by Thomas Hodgkin in 1832, and characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells.

Types

Hodgkin's disease (now also known as Hodgkin's lymphoma) can be subclassified into four pathologic subtypes based upon Reed-Sternberg cell morphology and the composition of the reactive cell infiltrate seen in the lymph node biopsy specimen. There are small but clear differences in prognosis between the various forms.

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1. Nodular sclerosing subtype is the most common subtype and is composed of large tumor nodules with lacunar RS cells surrounded by fibrotic bands.

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2. Lymphocyte predominant subtype is an uncommon subtype and is composed of vague nodules with numerous reactive lymphocytes. Unlike the other forms of Hodgkin lymphoma, the non-classic RS cells are CD15 and CD30 negative while positive for the B cell marker CD20.

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3. Lymphocyte depleted subtype is also an uncommon subtype and is composed of numerous classic RS cells with only few reactive lymphocytes.

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4. Mixed-cellularity subtype is a common subtype and is composed of numerous classic RS cells admixed with numerous inflammatory cells including lymphocytes, histiocytes, eosinophils, and plasma cells.

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