Hodgkin and Hodgkin‐Like Lymphoma

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a human lymphoid neoplasm most commonly affecting cervical, axillary, and inguinal lymph nodes. Neoplastic cells, based upon their morphology, are termed lymphocyte predominant cells, Hodgkin cells, or Reed–Sternberg cells. There are multiple classification schemes and thus subtypes of Hodgkin lymphoma. Like non-Hodgkin lymphoma, these subtypes differ in histomorphology, clinical characteristics, and immunophenotype. The World Health Organization classification of Hodgkin lymphoma includes two unique types: classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) and nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL). For NLPHL, there is disagreement regarding its optimal treatment and survival rates are quite variable, depending on stage and age at diagnosis. Histological mimics of CHL include subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, inflammatory/reactive diseases (such as infectious mononucleosis), and certain nonlymphoid neoplasms. In animals, there is no definitive evidence for the existence of Hodgkin lymphoma as a distinct lymphoma subtype.