Pathologic Characteristics and Differential Diagnosis of Hodgkin Lymphoma

Recent advances in the understanding of the biology of Hodgkin lymphoma have led to a new classification. Hodgkin lymphoma is now recognized as a B-cell disorder of germinal center or post-germinal center origin. In the WHO classification, Hodgkin lym-phoma consists of two categories, namely, nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma and classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Classical Hodgkin lymphoma encompasses not only nodular sclerosis, mixed cellularity, and lymphocyte depletion subtypes, but also lymphocyte-rich subtype, among which, nodular sclerosis stands out as a distinct entity. A borderline neoplasm with features intermediate between Hodgkin lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma has also been recognized. (Korean J Med 2011;81:543-553)