The localization of Hodgkin's disease in lymph nodes. A study with immunohistological, enzyme histochemical and rosetting techniques on frozen sections.

Lymphoid tissue of 51 patients with Hodgkin's disease was studied with immunohistological, enzyme histochemical and rosetting techniques for the detection of B and T cells in frozen sections. In lymph nodes of patients with lymphocyte predominance type of Hodgkin's disease, the majority of the lymphocytes in the involved areas were normal B lymphocytes of polyclonal origin. This was also true for nodular sclerosis cases with a predominance of lymphocytes. Surrounding Sternberg-Reed cells small clusters of T lymphocytes could be demonstrated. In mixed cellularity and also in nodular sclerosis with a mixed cellular pattern only small residual areas of B lymphocytes were present, whereas relatively large numbers of T lymphocytes were found in the involved areas. In lymphocyte depletion B lymphocytes were scarce and T lymphocytes were present in small number. It is concluded that different patterns of lymphocyte population can be discerned in the subtypes of Hodgkin's disease. A predominance of B lymphocytes is found in cases with lymphocyte predominance and thus is a prognostic favourable sign. A predominance of T lymphocytes as found in cases with a mixed cellular pattern with or without nodular sclerosis is therefore not a favourable sign in general but may indicate progressive disease. The possible reasons for the presence of large numbers of B or T lymphocytes in lymphoid tissue affected by Hodgkin's disease are discussed.