Atopy and immunoglobulin E concentrations in Hodgkin's disease and other lymphomas.

Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentrations are increased in Hodgkin's disease (HD) but not in other types of lymphoma. The prevalence of atopic disease is similar to normal in both groups. Patients with high IgE concentrations and HD were separated into atopic and non-atopic groups, which were found to differ clinically. Atopic patients had a significantly lower incidence of night sweats, fever, and weight loss, and treatment had no significant lasting effect on their IgE concentrations. In the non-atopic group there was a striking correlation between high IgE concentrations and a histological appearance of nodular sclerosis, particularly in the presence of night sweats, fever, and weight loss. Successful treatment in the non-atopic group led to a noticeable fall in IgE concentrations, in most cases to normal, though on relapse of the disease they rose again.