Hodgkin's disease primarily involving the oropharynx: case report and review of the literature

Hematol J. 2002;3(3):164-7. doi: 10.1038/sj.thj.6200166.

Abstract

We report a rare case of Hodgkin's disease primarily involving the oropharyngeal region. The patient presented with stage IIEA disease with a favorable response to treatment. Our literature search revealed that this disease affected rarely the lymphoid tissues of Waldeyer's ring. In this atypical location, tonsil and nasopharynx represent the most frequently involved sites. The involvement of the posterior wall of the oropharynx by Hodgkin's disease has been reported only once so far. When Waldeyer's ring is involved, the disease is usually localized, with occasional involvement of cervical lymph nodes. In this location, mixed cellularity is the most frequent histologic subtype and the Epstein-Barr virus is found in the majority of cases. This report is followed by a discussion on the clinical and pathological features, the implication of Epstein-Barrs virus and a literature review for Hodgkin's disease involving Waldeyer's ring.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Hodgkin Disease / diagnosis*
  • Hodgkin Disease / drug therapy
  • Hodgkin Disease / radiotherapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Remission Induction / methods