Comprehensive epidemiological and clinicopathological survey of Hodgkin's disease in Hungary

To determine the epidemiological pattern and some clinicopathological features of Hodgkin's disease in Hungary, the data of 233 consecutive patients with the disease from seven counties, diagnosed between January 1983 and July 1987, were analysed on the basis of data from four cancer centers. Large variations were noted in incidence rates between the different regions of Hungary. The epidemiological pattern seems to vary from those reported in developed and developing countries. A sharp rise in the incidence of Hodgkin's disease occurred at the end of the second decade of patients' lives. More of our Hodgkin's patients are at advanced clinical stages, with systemic symptoms and a histological type of mixed cellularity, at the time of diagnosis, than in the western hemisphere. On the average, there is a 6-month period between the appearance of the first sign or symptom and the diagnosis. There is a lack of data outlining the epidemiological differences in the pattern of Central Europa. The aim of this study is to supply data for the etiopathogenetic research of Hodgkin's disease, as there is an important task to improve the unfavourable home situation, and to strive for earlier diagnosis in this disease.