Hodgkin's disease in association with hexavalent chromium exposure.

During an epidemiological study assessing cancer risk in a small isolated population exposed to excessive amounts of hexavalent chromium, we noted two patients with Hodgkin's disease after exposure for many years and after a long latency period. The study population demonstrated an observed risk between 65 and 92 times that of reported risks for non-exposed US populations. Although malignant lymphoma, as well as many other malignancies, has clearly been associated with hexavalent chromium exposure, no reports have yet specifically mentioned Hodgkin's disease. We herein report Hodgkin's disease specifically in two individuals so exposed. Although this may be a chance occurrence, clinicians should be aware of the potential association between hexavalent chromium exposure and Hodgkin's lymphoma.