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Hodgkin's disease presenting as myelofibrosis
L M Meadows1, W R Rosse, J O Moore
1Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599.
Cancer
|October 15, 1989
Summary
Hodgkin's disease can cause bone marrow fibrosis and cytopenias, delaying diagnosis. Chemotherapy can lead to remission and partial resolution of marrow fibrosis in these cases.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
Background:
- Hodgkin's disease (HD) is a malignancy of lymphocytes.
- Bone marrow involvement in HD can manifest as myelofibrosis, leading to cytopenias.
Observation:
- Four patients with Hodgkin's disease and bone marrow fibrosis presented with cytopenias.
- Diagnosis was delayed by an average of 20 months due to non-specific symptoms.
Findings:
- Chemotherapy achieved complete remissions in all patients.
- Two patients achieved a cure, and marrow fibrosis resolved partially post-treatment.
Implications:
- Hodgkin's disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of idiopathic myelofibrosis.
- Early diagnosis and treatment of HD with marrow involvement can improve outcomes.