Classic Hodgkin lymphoma in pelvis: A case report highlights diagnosis and treatment challenges

RATIONALE: Classic Hodgkin lymphoma with pelvic involvement is a rare entity. Diagnosis and treatment for such an uncommon disease are challenging. Here we report a special case of classic Hodgkin lymphoma in pelvis. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 20-year-old woman was admitted to our department due to left hip symptoms. The patient reported a history of drenching night sweats, low-grade fever, pruritic rash on the body, and an almost 15% weight loss during the previous 3 months. DIAGNOSES: Imaging studies revealed osteolytic destruction of the left hemi-pelvic with a huge soft-tissue mass. Open biopsy established the pathological diagnosis of classic Hodgkin lymphoma. INTERVENTIONS: Considering the B symptom, bulky disease, and high risk of pathological fracture of the patient, we performed limb-salvage surgery and 6 cycles ABVD chemotherapy with 2 cycles before surgery. OUTCOMES: Up to now, at the 3-year follow-up, there is no sign of disease relapse and metastasis. Besides, her limb function recovered well. LESSONS: Based on this case and literature we reviewed, diagnoses for primary bone Hodgkin lymphoma should be cautious. For the treatment, chemotherapy was the main treatment option. Classic Hodgkin lymphoma patients seldom received tumor resection surgery, but for the special bone classic Hodgkin lymphoma individual with a huge tumor volume and high risk of pathological fracture in our study, limb-salvage surgery based on ABVD chemotherapy provided a satisfying clinical outcome.