HODGKINS-DISEASE OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT

Hodgkin's disease (HD) is rarely considered in the differential diagno sis of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. We report eight cases of GI HD . The patients, ages 16-64, all with stage IV disease of varied histol ogic subtypes and GI symptoms including pain, upper or lower GI bleedi ng and/or obstruction. There was diffuse gastric fold thickening in on e case, a large submucosal mass along the proximal greater curvature i n another case, and a large ulcerating mass along the lesser curvature in the third case. Tow cases of jejunal disease manifested as either a short or long segment of luminal narrowing with prominent mucosal no dularity. Another case exhibited a short area of complete mucosal dest ruction, irregular cavitation and intraluminal filling defect. In one additional case there was diffuse jejunal nodularity. Colonic involvem ent (two cases) presented as a solitary polypoid mass in transverse co lon in one patient and severe narrowing of the descending colon with a djacent mesenteric mass on CT in another. We conclude that although ra re in Hodgkin's disease, GI involvement should be considered, particul arly in patients with stage IV disease.