A case of Hodgkin’s lymphoma with severely impaired liver function treated successfully with gemcitabine followed by ABVD

Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) originates from clonal B cells and is the most common malignancy in the second decade of life. Liver involvement is uncommon at presentation in patients with HL and there is a paucity of data for treatment of patients with severely impaired liver function. We present an unusual case of HL with severe hepatic impairment, splenomegaly and multiple chromosomal abnormalities that was treated initially with gemcitabine and steroids. Once liver function tests improved, six cycles of Adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine were administered. The patient remains in remission at 3.5 years of follow-up.