Minimal change nephrotic syndrome associated with Hodgkin's lymphoma

This report documents the occurrence of minimal-change nephropathy in four patients with Hodgkin's disease. In two cases the onset of the nephrotic syndrome antedated the recognition of lymphoma by 4 and 7 years respectively, while in the other two the nephrotic syndrome manifested 5.5 years and 13 months respectively after lymphoma. In all cases, the nephrotic syndrome resolved when therapy was effective in treating active Hodgkin's disease. The significance of minimal-change nephropathy in association with Hodgkin's disease is discussed. It may be that abnormalities in T-cell function lead to minimal-change nephropathy in some patients with certain forms of Hodgkin's disease.