Epithelioid granulomas associated with Hodgkin's disease: clinical correlations in 55 previously untreated patients

Abstract

Non-caseating sarcoid-like epithelioid granulomas associated with Hodgkin's disease have been found in 55 patients initially staged and treated at the Stanford University School of Medicine. These patients are compared to 553 concurrent patients not having granulomas associated with their Hodgkin's disease. Pre-treatment parameters of the two groups are presented and found not to be different. Patterns of relapse in granuloma patients are presented and no relationship between location of granulomas and subsequent relapse is found. Survival and relapse-free survival curves are significantly different in favor of the granuloma group (p = 0.005 and p = 0.03, respectively). Correlation with skin test data has been attempted using a matched control analysis and no difference is found in reaction to intradermal antigens between the two groups.