Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Whereas it is estimated that 7800 new cases of Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) will be diagnosed in 2006, nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) will only account for 3–8% of newly diagnosed HL (1, 2). The majority of the incidence is accounted for by the classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) subtypes (nodular sclerosing, lymphocyte rich, lymphocyte depleted, and mixed cellularity). There exists today a large breadth of literature that describes the pathology and epidemiology and provides data that supports the current acceptable standard approaches for both front-line and relapsed/refractory treatment of CHL (3). Given the rarity of the diagnosis of NLPHL, there are significantly fewer publications that are available to establish treatment algorithms and predict both short-term and long-term outcomes. However, as more has become understood about the pathology that underlies the diagnosis of NLPHL, more studies have now come forth that provide the rationale and evidence to support stagebased treatment approaches for the care of patients with this unusual diagnosis.