Hodgkin's disease in black Zimbabweans. A study of epidemiologic, histologic, and clinical features.

A 3-year prospective study of the histologic and clinical features of patients with Hodgkin's disease presenting to the medical units in Harare, Zimbabwe, was undertaken. The histologic pattern of disease was similar to that of other African countries with mixed cellularity and lymphocyte depleted patterns prevailing (58% and 21%, respectively). Unlike most African countries, however, disease occurred most commonly in teenagers and young adults. Nutritional status was poor in just under 50% of the patients. Clinically, the extent of disease at presentation was striking, with over 90% of patients having advanced stage disease in spite of the stated duration of symptoms being moderate. The histologic and clinical findings resembled those reported from other African countries, but in certain aspects the epidemiologic pattern was intermediate between those of affluent and underprivileged communities.