Chronic Cutaneous Disorders Are Associated with a More Favorable Disease Presentation and Outcome in Patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> In epidemiological studies, chronic inflammation or previous major infection have revealed to be associated with an increased risk of developing Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). The association of chronic inflammation with the disease outcome is poorly defined. In this retrospective study based on 92 consecutive HL patients, we explored the incidence of previous inflammatory processes or previous major infection in newly diagnosed HL patients and their association with treatment outcome. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Medical history before lymphoma diagnosis including previous infection; dental inflammation; cutaneous problems; and inflammatory respiratory, gastrointestinal, or musculoskeletal diseases was collected from the patient records. Also clinical HL presentation, given treatments, and the disease outcome were recorded. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Forty-six percent of HL patients had some of the studied inflammatory factor at the time of diagnosis. Chronic dermatological diseases were present in 16.3% of patients, and they were associated with an improved relapse-free survival (<i>p</i> = 0.028). Dermatological issues were also associated with early-stage disease and the absence of B-symptoms. Other studied inflammatory factors were not associated with any clinical variables or treatment outcome. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our results demonstrated that among patients with HL, preexisting cutaneous symptoms are associated with a limited-stage disease, the absence of B-symptoms, and favorable prognosis.