Clinical Features of Hodgkin Lymphoma

Abstract

Hodgkin lymphoma patients typically present with lymphadenopathy that involves lymph node sites in a contiguous fashion, while extranodal sites of disease are less common. Systemic symptoms including fevers, drenching night sweats, weight loss, and pruritus may be present at diagnosis. A comprehensive clinical evaluation is important prior to therapy to confirm the stage of disease, identify adverse prognostic factors and anticipate complications due to comorbid conditions. Information gleaned from the careful assessment of the patient, and from radiological and laboratory testing, will allow for an appropriate selection of therapy. Imaging studies, particularly the use of PET scans, are an important part of this initial clinical evaluation but are also critical during and after therapy to evaluate response for prognostic purposes. Because the outcome of Hodgkin lymphoma patients is usually good and many patients may be cured, long-term follow-up of patients is necessary to detect and manage potential complications of therapy.