Case report: splenectomy in patients with Hodgkin's disease and marrow hypoplasia.

Two patients with Hodgkin's disease and hypoplastic bone marrow underwent splenectomy in an attempt to reverse pancytopenia and to improve chemotherapeutic tolerance. Although the peripheral blood counts were improved, the clinical course was not significantly affected. Infectious complications occurred. This suggests that the peripheral hematologic improvement following splenectomy may not reflect a true improvement in marrow tolerance.