Hodgkin's disease involving Waldeyer's ring: a study of four cases

Leuk Lymphoma. 2001 Mar;41(1-2):151-6. doi: 10.3109/10428190109057964.

Abstract

We report four cases of Hodgkin's disease who presented with involvement of Waldeyer's ring. Their clinical, morphological and immunohistochemical features are discussed. The patients were immuno-competent, were between 17 and 65 years of age and presented with symptoms related to swelling in the nasopharynx or oropharynx and cervical lymphadenopathy. The nasopharyngeal biopsy and the cervical lymph node in all four cases showed features of classical Hodgkin's disease. The Reed Sternberg cells expressed CD15 and CD30, and in three cases, CD20 and Epstein-Barr virus--latent membrane protein -1 (EBV-LMP-1). Extranodal involvement by Hodgkin's disease which is not in continuity with nodal disease is rare in immunocompetent patients. Morphologically, such extranodal lesions, especially in locations like the oropharynx and nasopharynx, should be differentiated from EBV-associated lymphoproliferations.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Hodgkin Disease / diagnosis
  • Hodgkin Disease / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Reed-Sternberg Cells / chemistry
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus
  • Viral Matrix Proteins