Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas in an Indian Rural Medical Institution: Comparative Clinicopathologic Analysis

In this prospective, hospital-based two year study, we comparatively evaluated clinicopathologic features of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL, n = 48) and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL, n = 76) in an Indian rural medical institution. A lower median age of onset (28.1 versus 39.9 years) and and higher male to female ratio (3.8:1 versus 3.2:1) were noted for HL compared to NHL. The commonest symptom was neck swelling (58.3% versus 65.8%) while peripheral lymphadenopathy was the commonest sign (83.3% versus 94.7%). The commonest lymph-node group involved was cervical (79.2% versus 79.0%). Bone marrow involvement was lower in HL (8.33% versus 18.4%). The commonest histological subtype was mixed cellularity (45.8%) in HL and diffuse mixed variant (31.6%) in NHL. Most cases presented at advanced stage (54.2% in HL, 71.1 % in NHL). Hence a distinct clinicopathologic profile was noted in HL and NHL that are comparable to other Indian studies but different from Western studies. Recognition of such characteristic features should assist in providing appropriate diagnosis and suitable management in rural communities having limited access to sophisticated medical services.