Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children: A Review

Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) with an incidence of 12.1 per million in individuals under 20 years of age, comprises 8.8% of all cancers in this age group. Since its clinical description in 1832, the disease has been stratified and classified into distinct subgroups. Various risk factors based on pathological and prognostic factors are known. While the etiology of the disease remains an enigma, various factors including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpes virus 6 (HHV6), cytomegalovirus (CMV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and more recently, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been implicated in the genesis of this disorder. Of these, the possible role of EBV has been best explored. The expression and upregulation of CD30, its intra and extracellular effect, as well as those of CD25 and their association with symptoms typical of HD has been probed. While no universally curative therapy has been identified, starting with radiation, various agents and combinations to successfully treat this disease have been developed. More recently, treatment combinations, and duration of therapy, have been tailored to match those of risk stratification, extent of the disease and prognostic factors. Understanding the biology and pathophysiology of HL, promises better and more specific treatments in the future.