Prognosis is the likely outcome of a disease along with the chance of recovery or recurrence. Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) cases are generally classified into the three subgroups described below.
- Early-stage favorable: stage I to II with no unfavorable risk factors
- Early-stage unfavorable: stage I to II with one or more of the following unfavorable risk factors
- Bulky disease: a mass in the chest that is one-third the width of the chest, or any lymph node mass greater than 10 centimeters
- Involvement of 3 or more lymph nodes
- B symptoms: fever, drenching night sweats and/or unexplained weight loss greater than 10 percent of body weight over 6 months
- Extranodal disease: involvement of an organ outside the lymphatic system
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 50 or higher
- Advanced stage: stage III to IV
- Seven factors provide a basis for recommending either aggressive or less-intensive treatment options
- Being male
- Age 45 or older
- Stage IV disease
- Albumin level below 4 g/dL (grams per deciliter)
- Hemoglobin level below 10.5 g/dL
- Leukocytosis: white blood cell count greater than 15,000/uL
- Lymphocytopenia: lymphocyte count less than 8% of the white blood cell count and/or lymphocyte count less than 600/uL
- Seven factors provide a basis for recommending either aggressive or less-intensive treatment options
The International Prognostic Score (IPS) assigns a point for each adverse prognostic factors present at diagnosis. The IPS helps doctors to determine the course of treatment and the prognosis for patients with advanced-stage (stage III to IV) disease.
About 30% of patients present with early-stage favorable HL; the other 70% of patients present with more advanced disease.
Related Links
- Download or order The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's free booklet, Hodgkin Lymphoma.