Erythema nodosum heralding recurrent Hodgkin's disease

The association of erythema nodosum with Hodgkin's disease is acknowledged, although not well-documented in the literature. Two patients with long remissions of their Hodgkin's disease manifested persistent erythema nodosum beginning 7 and 6 months, respectively, before relapse was clinically evident. The skin lesions in both patients partially responded to treatment with indomethacin, but did not resolve completely until chemotherapy was instituted. Erythema nodosum probably reflects an important change in the balance of biologic forces between the host and the neoplasm, the nature of which can only be speculated upon at this time. Erythema nodosum should be considered a warning signal of impending relapse in a patient with a history of Hodgkin's disease.