FREQUENCY AND PATTERN OF BONE MARROW INFILTRATION IN HODGKIN’S LYMPHOMA

Introduction: Lymphomas are malignant neoplasms arising from lymphoid tissue. They are divi- ded into two groups i.e Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Staging of Hodg- kin’s Lymphoma is important for the management and treatment of the patient. This study was carried out to determine the frequency of bone marrow infiltration at the time of diagnosis as well as various patterns of bone marrow involvement. Materials and Methods: Clinical history and physical findings were recorded in the proforma. Investigations were carried out. Bone marrow aspirate and trephine biopsies were performed from posterior iliac crest. Aspirates and trephine biopsies were evaluated and assessed for cytolo- gy, marrow architecture, haemopoietic tissue and any lymphomatous infiltration. In cases with in- filtration, the infiltration pattern was studied. Results: Fifty Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients were studied. Bone marrow infiltration was found in 19 (38%) cases. Among these 19 patients with infiltration 17 (89.4%) patients were of Hodgkin’s Ly- mphoma mixed cellularity and 2 (10.5%) had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Nodular Sclerosis. Pattern of infiltrate was interstitial in majority of cases followed by diffuse type of infiltration. Conclusion: Bone marrow involvement in Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is more common in our setup as patients present at a later stage. It is recommended that bone marrow examination should be per- formed as a part of staging investigations in patients with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.