Hodgkin's disease presenting as myelofibrosis

Abstract

Four patients with Hodgkin's disease and bone marrow fibrosis are presented in whom the clinical presentation was dominated by cytopenias; this was associated with a delayed diagnosis for an average of 20 months. Despite marrow involvement, chemotherapy resulted in complete remissions and two patients appear to have been cured. Marrow fibrosis resolved at least partially after chemotherapy. The medical literature relevant to bone marrow involvement by Hodgkin's disease is reviewed. Hodgkin's disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of idiopathic myelofibrosis.