A history of infectious mononucleosis due to infection by Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) may increase risk of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma but the precise contribution of Epstein–Barr virus remains largely unknown.  Hodgkin lymphoma is characterized by the orderly spread of disease from one lymph node group to another and by the development of systemic symptoms with advanced disease. When Hodgkins cells are examined microscopically, multinucleated Reed–Sternberg cells (RS cells) are the characteristic histopathologic finding.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital