RESUMEN
Hodgkin's lymphoma [HL] is a curable lymphoid malignancy. Different Immunohistochemical markers specially CD15 and CD30 are used to diagnose HL and differentiate it from other lymphomas including anaplastic large cell lymphoma [ALCL]; this study was carried out in patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma to determine the frequency of these markers in Iranian patients with HL. A cross sectional study was done out on all patients with definite diagnosis of classic Hodgkin's lymphoma in the selected hospitals. Patients were classified according to WHO classification of the HL type into: mixed cellularity, nodular sclerosis, lymphocyte rich and lymphocyte depletion subtypes. CD15 and CD30 immunophenotype were detected by monoclonal immunostaining method. The frequency was determined in each group and C.I. [confidence interval] was calculated for the Iranian population. The studies were done on 65 patients. Mean age was 31.9 +/- 18.1 years. 37 [56.9%] were male. CD15 and CD30 was positive in 50 [76.9%] and 58 [89.2%] respectively. Both markers were positive in 46 [70.8%] and were negative in 3 [4.6%]. There was no significant relationship between CD15 and CD30 positivity and age/ gender [p<0.6]. It seems that there is a high frequency of positivity for CD15 or CD30 in Iranian patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma. These markers are useful in diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, in cases who are CD15 negative and CD30 positive, it is better to use additional markers for avoiding misdiagnosis as anaplastic large cell lymphoma