Hodgkin lymphoma and hypothermia: case report and review of the literature

Acta Haematol. 2014;131(4):227-30. doi: 10.1159/000355262. Epub 2013 Dec 5.

Abstract

We report the development of hypothermia in a patient with Hodgkin lymphoma which resolved with chemotherapy administration. A review of the literature revealed 16 previous reports of hypothermia in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. Overall prognosis seems to be unfavorable. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of hypothermia in a patient with Hodgkin lymphoma transforming from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (Richter's syndrome). A possible pathophysiology could be paraneoplastic autonomic neuropathy. Physicians should be aware that Hodgkin lymphoma can present with hypothermia and should carefully monitor newly diagnosed patients with advanced disease for this complication. Likewise, patients with Hodgkin lymphoma who develop hypothermia should be screened for signs of autonomic neuropathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / prevention & control
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Hodgkin Disease / drug therapy
  • Hodgkin Disease / etiology
  • Hodgkin Disease / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Hypothermia / etiology*
  • Hypothermia / prevention & control
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Paraneoplastic Polyneuropathy / etiology
  • Paraneoplastic Polyneuropathy / physiopathology
  • Paraneoplastic Polyneuropathy / prevention & control