Immune thrombocytopenic purpura at the diagnosis of Hodgkin disease.

ABSTRACT

We describe the case of a 76-year-old male presenting a thrombocytopenia at the diagnosis of Hodgkin disease. Basing on bone marrow biopsy and evolution, we diagnosed an immune thrombocytopenia and treated with intravenous gammaglobulins. The platelet count normalized in a few days under this therapy. Immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) is a rare complication of Hodgkin disease (HD). It seems to be due to the production of antibodies directed against platelet membrane proteins. The patient's and the lymphoma's characteristics are not predictive for it to happen. The evolution of HD is also not influenced by its occurrence. Various treatments (including corticoids and immunomodulating agents) have been tried with different efficiencies.