A 35-year-old woman presents with mediastinal mass, B symptoms, and cervical lymphadenopathy. Biopsy shows binucleate giant cells with prominent owl-eye nucleoli in a background of lymphocytes, eosinophils, and plasma cells. CD15+, CD30+, CD45−. What is the most common histological subtype of this condition?
- A Mixed cellularity
- B Lymphocyte-rich
- C Nodular sclerosis ✓
- D Lymphocyte-depleted
Correct answer: C. Nodular sclerosis
Explanation
The description is classic for classical Hodgkin lymphoma (Reed-Sternberg cells: CD15+, CD30+, CD45−). Nodular sclerosis is the most common subtype in developed countries (~70%), typically affecting young adults with mediastinal involvement and forming collagen bands around nodules. Mixed cellularity is more common in EBV-related HL and in older patients. Lymphocyte-depleted is the rarest and most aggressive subtype.
Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21st ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.