Primary Hodgkin's disease of the lung

Abstract

Three cases of Hodgkin's disease presenting primarily in the lung are described. All 3 patients presented with respiratory symptoms and chest X-rays revealed discrete masses within the lung parenchyma. CT examination of the mediastinum did not reveal regional or generalized lymphadenopathy at the time of diagnosis in 2 of the cases. A diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease was made on open lung biopsies and despite aggressive chemotherapy, 2 patients died within 2 yrs. The histological and immunocytochemical features of these cases were typical of that expected in Hodgkin's disease. However, the stated indolent course of primary pulmonary Hodgkin's disease is not invariable. Those patients with bilateral interstitial disease and systemic symptoms have a poor prognosis. Furthermore, it is difficult to exclude definitely lymph node involvement (although not enlarged) at the time of diagnosis. Since several cases described in the literature have concurrent and/or subsequent nodal involvement, the entity of primary pulmonary Hodgkin's disease without lymph node involvement is exceedingly rare.