[Hodgkin disease of the palatine tonsil. Clinical, histological, immunophenotype study and association with Epstein-Barr virus].

OBJECTIVE

To characterize clinical, histological and immuno-phenotypical features of a rare Hodgkin's disease presentation.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of three personal cases of Hodgkin's disease of the tonsil and a review of the literature.

RESULTS

The clinical presentation was localized in the tonsil in all three cases. Age at onset was over 40 years in all patients. Symptoms were typical. A mixed cellularity histological type was found in all 3 instances. Reed-Sternberg cells stained positively with anti-CD30 and anti-CD15 monoclonal antibodies as well as with an anti-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) specific monoclonal antibody. All 3 patients are currently in complete remission although for a short period of time (35, 20 and 15 months).

CONCLUSION

This small series illustrates the main characteristics of this rare Hodgkin's disease presentation. Age at onset was older than the average for this disease which might explain the predominance of the mixed cellularity histologic subtype and the tighter linkage to EBV, although the rarity of such a presentation could raise some doubts about the EBV linkage. Prognosis of this unusual presentation does not appear to be different from that for more common presentations.