[Histopathological diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease].

The diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease is based on histopathologic examination and the demonstration of Reed-Sternberg cells. These cells express antigens (Ki-1/CD30 CD15) which are of diagnostic value. Two types of Hodgkin's disease are now identified: 1. the "classical Hodgkin's disease" which includes nodular sclerosis, mixed cellularity and some tumors rich in malignant cells formerly designated Hodgkin's disease with lymphocyte depletion; 2. the "lymphocyte predominance Hodgkin's disease" in particular the nodular form (paragranuloma). These lesions are now considered an indolent form of B-cell lymphoma with possible transformation into large B-cell lymphoma. Epstein-Barr virus is involved in the "Classical Hodgkin's disease" but not in the "Lymphocyte predominance Hodgkin's disease". However, the role of Epstein-Barr virus in the occurrence of the disease and the prognostic implications of its detection remain ro be elucidated.