The Rye classification of a population based series of Hodgkin's disease patients in Western Australia

Data are presented on the incidence in Western Australia of subtypes of Hodgkin's disease which were obtained by review of all cases of the disease notified between 1960 and 1974. Observations were also made on within- and between-observer agreement on the use of the Rye classification by a group of 9 surgical pathologists, all in the day-to-day practice of pathology. Although many consensus diagnoses were made only after spirited discussion by the Group, the results suggested that general surgical pathologists can perform nearly as well as lymphoma experts. A comparison of the incidence of Hodgkin's disease and distribution of Rye subtypes in Western Australia with 4 other populations showed a similar overall incidence but appreciable variation in the relative frequency of the subtypes--mainly in the proportions of nodular sclerosing and mixed cellularity.