Hematology And Oncology Chapter 139. Hodgkin's disease is rare before age 10 and has a bimodal age distribution that peaks at ages 15 to 34 and after age 60.
Epidemiologic studies find no evidence of horizontal spread.
The background cellular infiltrate is heterogeneous and consists of histiocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, plasma cells, and eosinophils. Symptoms and Signs Symptoms and signs primarily relate to the site, amount, and extent of nodal mass involvement. Most patients present with cervical and mediastinal adenopathy and without systemic complaints. Other manifestations develop as the disease spreads through the reticuloendothelial system, generally among contiguous sites. Although the mechanism is unclear, immediate pain may occur in diseased areas after drinking alcoholic beverages, providing an early clue to diagnosis.