Hodgkin's disease with bone marrow involvement

Bone marrow involvement was seen in 11 percent of patients with Hodgkin's Disease which was determined from pre-treatment biopsy specimens using established histopathologic criteria. Analysis of 32 evaluable patients with marrow involvement showed male preponderance with a peak in fourth decade of life. Twenty four cases (75%) had B-symptoms and 15 (46%) presented within six months of onset of symptoms. On categorizing for clinical staging, 21 (65%) belonged to stage III and IV. Hepatomegaly (greater than or equal to 2 cms) was present in seven cases (21%) and splenomegaly in 13 cases (40%). Mixed cellularity and lymphocytic depletion histopathologic subtypes showed the highest frequency of involvement (21 cases; 65%). Out of 28 cases ESR was raised in 27 cases (96%). Eighteen cases (56%) showed elevated serum alkaline phosphatase levels. Serum copper levels were determined in 14 cases, out of which 12 (85%) showed elevated levels. These parameters along with anemia (hemoglobin of 12 g/dl or less) in 26 cases (81%), correlated well with the disease activity. Only four cases had leukopenia at presentation pointing to no hindrance for aggressive chemotherapy. All cases received minimum of six courses of standard combination chemotherapy with or without local radiotherapy. Sixteen cases (50%) relapsed subsequently and were managed accordingly. A five year follow-up revealed a minimal 31 percent overall survival, and 18 percent of patients were disease free and well since the time of treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)