Hodgkin's vs. Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Hodgkin's Lymphoma

• Characteristics:

  • Local adenopathy
  • Rarely extranodal
  • Contiguous spread
  • Usually no hepatosplenomegaly or leukemic phase
  • Presence of Reed-Sternberg cells
  • Affects young adults
  • Better prognosis, more curable

• Treatment:

  • Radiation and chemotherapy (ABVD: Adriamycin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine)

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

• Characteristics:

  • Adenopathy plus extranodal involvement
  • Non-contiguous spread
  • Common hepatosplenomegaly and leukemic phase
  • Absence of Reed-Sternberg cells
  • Affects people/men in their mid-50s
  • Worse prognosis

• Treatment:

  • CHOP regimen (Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, Prednisone)
  • Sometimes Rituximab is added

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Summary

• Hodgkin's typically affects younger individuals, primarily involves local lymph nodes, has a characteristic cell (Reed-Sternberg), and is more curable with a combined radiation and ABVD chemotherapy regimen.
• Non-Hodgkin's often affects older individuals, involves both lymph nodes and other organs, lacks the Reed-Sternberg cell, and has a more complex treatment regimen (CHOP and sometimes Rituximab) with a poorer prognosis.