Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL), a distinct subtype of Hodgkin lymphoma, is a rare disease with a generally favorable prognosis. The hallmark of NLPHL is the presence of the lymphocytic and histiocytic cell, which, in contrast to the classic Reed-Sternberg cell, is CD20+, CD15−, and CD30−. NLPHL tends to have an indolent natural history, a long time to disease progression, a delayed time to relapse, and a high likelihood of presenting as early-stage disease. The evidence to guide the management of patients with NLPHL is limited by the rarity of this disease, but the available data support the use of involved-field radiation therapy alone for localized disease. Treatment-related late effects contribute significantly to the causes of death in patients treated for NLPHL.
Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Address reprint requests to Peter M. Mauch, MD, Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115.
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