Hodgkin's lymphoma is a lymph node-based malignancy that often presents as an asymptomatic lymphadenopathy, potentially progressing to predictable clinical sites.1

Location of Lymphadenopathy

  • More than 80% of patients present with lymphadenopathy above the diaphragm (often involving the anterior mediastinum)
  • Less than 10% to 20% present with lymphadenopathy below the diaphragm
  • Commonly involved peripheral lymph nodes are located in the cervical, supraclavicular, and axillary areas; inguinal areas are involved less frequently
  • Disseminated lymphadenopathy is rare, as is involvement of Waldeyer's ring and occipital, epitrochlear, posterior mediastinal, and mesenteric sites

Systemic Symptoms

  • Approximately 30% of patients have systemic systems, including fever, night sweats, weight loss, and chronic pruritus
  • These are more common among older patients and have a negative impact on prognosis

Extranodal Involvement

  • May affect extranodal tissues by direct invasion or by hematogenous dissemination (stage IV disease)
  • Commonly involved sites include the spleen, lungs, liver, and bone marrow

Reference:

  1. Yahalom J, Straus D. Hodgkin's disease. In: Pazdur R, Coia LR, Hoskins WJ, Wagman LD, eds. Cancer Management: A Multidisciplinary Approach. 7th ed. New York, NY: The Oncology Group; 2003:643-663.

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Important Safety Information

WARNING
It is recommended that MATULANE be given only by or under the supervision of a physician experienced in the use of potent antineoplastic drugs. Adequate clinical and laboratory facilities should be available to patients for proper monitoring of treatment.

Matulane is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug or inadequate marrow reserve as demonstrated by bone marrow aspiration. Due consideration of this possible state should be given to each patient who has leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, or anemia.

Matulane in combination therapy is a potent chemotherapeutic agent. Before prescribing Matulane, the sections in the Prescribing Information concerning usage in pregnancy, occurrence of secondary cancers, monitoring required in liver and kidney disease, hematologic effects, CNS effects, and potentiation associated with alcohol and MAO inhibitors should be carefully evaluated.

Please see full Prescribing Information for Matulane indications and usage, contraindications, and warnings including boxed WARNINGS, precautions, and adverse reactions.