It is a Reed-Sternberg cell and the diagnosis is that of Hodgkin's lymphoma. The malignant lymphomas are divided into Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's groups. Hodgkin's disease was first described by Sir Thomas Hodgkin in 1832. The disease can present at any age but is more prevalent in adolescents and young adults. It usually presents as painless rubbery lymphadenopathy involving the superficial lymph node groups.
Cutaneous involvement can occurs as a late complication.
The diagnosis is confirmed by lymph node biopsy. The disease is staged by the use of chest x-ray, bone marrow biopsy and abdominal and thoracic CT scan. Before the advent of CT, staging laparotomy was required but this has now been rendered obsolete. Patients with substage B disease have constitutional symptoms that include an unexplained fever more than 38 deg C, night sweats and weight loss. The treatment of Stage I and II disease is usually with radiotherapy.