Medical Importance
Hodgkin lymphoma is the first hematologic malignancy that was found
to be curable. There are approximately 8,000 new cases of Hodgkin
lymphoma per year in the US. It is most common in young adults, and the
majority are cured and lead long productive lives. However, treatment
of Hodgkin lymphoma is associated with long-term complications, and the
internists and family physicians who follow these patients need to know
about these issues. Carefully planned clinical trials that have
improved cure rates and minimized short and long-term toxicity from
radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma
serve as a model for clinical trial strategies in other malignancies.
Objectives
- Describe the background features of
lymph nodes involved in Hodgkin lymphoma and the morphologic features
and cell derivation of the Reed-Sternberg cell.
- Describe the clinical features and hematologic findings associated with Hodgkin lymphoma, including the classic B symptoms.
- Describe the staging work-up and apply the Ann Arbor staging classification to patients with Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Describe
short-term and long-term complications of radiation therapy, including
cardiac, pulmonary, and endocrine complications, and risk of second
malignancies.
- Describe short and long-term toxicities of modern chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma (ABVD).
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