Pathophysiology:
Results from clonal transformation of B-cells into pathognomic binucleated reed-sternberg cells
Most patients also develop a defect in T-cell function which contributes to an increased risk of infection
In advanced cases humoral immunity is depressed - Death is usually due to an infection
Epidemiology:
Overall, 1 in 5 lymphomas are Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, it is caused by proliferation of lymphocytes.
There is a bimodal age distribution with peaks around aged 20 and 75 years.
The annual incidence of Hodgkin's lymphoma in the UK is 2.7/100,000 with a slight male predominance.
Risk factors:
Key symptom - Lymphadenopathy (neck, axilla, inguinal). They are characteristically non-tender and feel “rubbery”. Some patients will experience pain in the lymph nodes when they drink with alcohol.
B symptoms are the systemic symptoms of lymphoma: