In a nutshell
This study investigated the relationship between the primary lymph node site in Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients, their survival and course of the disease. The main finding was that patients with a primary lymph node site in the pelvis or abdomen had the worst survival of the Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients analyzed.
Some background
Hodgkin's Lymphoma is a cancer which develops in the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes (LNs) are immune tissues found in many areas of the body. The area in which HL first develops is known as the primary LN site. Common primary LN sites include the head, face and neck (HFN), the arms, the pelvis, the chest, the leg and groin (inguinal) and the abdomen (area between the chest and pelvis). Technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) are constantly improving. It is important to research if lymph node site is related to survival in HL patients.
Methods & findings
Data on 12,658 HL patients collected between 1973 and 2010 were analyzed.
Patients with a primary LN in the abdomen had the worst survival. Patients with a pelvic primary LN site were 2 times more likely to die within one year of diagnosis. HFN primary LN sites were linked with improved survival. Patients with abdominal primary LN sites on average were older or had advanced HL (stage 2B, 3 or 4). These factors were linked with the worst survival in patients with abdominal primary LN sites.
The bottom line
The study concluded that primary LN sites in the abdomen or pelvis were linked with a poor prognosis in patients with Hodgkin's Lymphoma
The fine print
Only data from patients in a US database were analyzed in this study which may not be similar to HL patients elsewhere. Further investigation is needed to determine why the abdominal and pelvic primary LN sites are linked with worse survival in Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients.
What’s next?
If you have questions about Hodgkin’s lymphoma, please consult your doctor.
Published By :
Cancer Medicine
Date :
Mar 09, 2018
