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Updated: Jul 28, 2026
Flow-sorting and Exome Sequencing of the Reed-Sternberg Cells of Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
Published on: June 10, 2017
Hodgkin's disease in children in the West Midlands, 1957-1986: a large population-based study
S E Parkes1, N A Coad, K R Muir
1West Midlands Regional Children's Tumour Research Group, Children's Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Insights
This study on childhood Hodgkin's disease found a higher incidence in boys and an increased risk in older children. Findings suggest a potential viral cause and links to socioeconomic factors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Epidemiology
- Cancer Etiology
Background:
- Hodgkin's disease is a significant pediatric malignancy.
- Understanding epidemiological trends and risk factors is crucial for early detection and treatment.
- Previous research suggests potential environmental and genetic influences on Hodgkin's disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence, subtypes, survival rates, and potential risk factors of childhood Hodgkin's disease.
- To investigate the association between Hodgkin's disease and factors like age, sex, socioeconomic status, and family history.
- To explore the hypothesis of viral etiology and socioeconomic links in pediatric Hodgkin's disease.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 141 pediatric Hodgkin's disease cases diagnosed between 1957 and 1986.
- Calculation of age-standardized incidence rates and male:female ratios.
- Comparison of disease subtypes, survival rates, and risk factors across different age groups and time periods.
Main Results:
- A significant male predominance (1.5:1 ratio) was observed.
- Incidence increased in older children (> or = 10 years) in the latter half of the study period.
- Mixed cellularity subtype was more common in younger children (<10 years), nodular sclerosing in older children (>=10 years).
- Five-year survival was 76% (10-year: 65%), with significant improvement over the decades.
- Six second malignancies were noted, with five potentially treatment-related.
- Positive family history of cancer and higher social class were associated with older children.
Conclusions:
- Childhood Hodgkin's disease incidence, subtype distribution, and survival have evolved over time.
- Findings support the hypothesis that Hodgkin's disease may have a viral etiology and be linked to socioeconomic conditions.
- Further research into viral markers and socioeconomic determinants is warranted.
Abstract:
One hundred forty-one children were diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease between 1957 and 1986 in the West Midlands Health Authority Region (1991 population, 1.1 million children). Eighty-seven were boys and 54 were girls, representing a significant male:female ratio of 1.5:1 (P < 0.01). The average age-standardized incidence rate was 3.6 per million per year with a significant increase in the older age group (> or = 10 years) in the second half of the period (P = 0.02). The mixed cellularity subtype was more common in those younger than 10 years, with nodular sclerosing disease being seen more in those < or = 10 years. Overall survival at 5 years was 76% (65% at 10 years) with a significant difference (P < 0.001) in survival between the first and last decades. There was six second malignancies, five of which could have been treatment related. A positive history of cancer in close relatives was found in 11 patients, and higher social class was found in more older than younger children. These findings support the hypothesis that Hodgkin's disease may have a viral etiology and may be linked with socioeconomic conditions.
