Reactive hemophagocytic syndrome as a presenting feature of Hodgkin's disease

We report the case of a 60-year-old man with febris of unknown origin, seve re pancytopenia, and rapidly developing splenomegaly due to reactive hemoph agocytic syndrome and Hodgkin's disease. Reactive hemophagocytic syndrome i s often rapidly fatal and, once this diagnosis is considered, an underlying infection or malignancy should be treated promptly. An extensive search of the literature revealed only two other cases of reactive hemophagocytic sy ndrome and Hodgkin's disease. This is the only reported patient who survive d after being diagnosed as having reactive hemophagocytic syndrome and Hodg kin's disease.