Pregnancy outcomes in women diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma during pregnancy: a review of the literature

Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) is one of the most common haematological malignancies to complicate pregnancy due to its peak incidence in the reproductive age. Constitutional symptoms of the disease may be mistaken for early pregnancy symptoms, delaying diagnosis. Pregnancy neither affects the course nor is it associated with the recurrence of HL. HL has an excellent prognosis with 90% five-year survival if the disease is detected in the early stage and treated adequately. However, treating a pregnant woman with HL is challenging. A multidisciplinary approach is required to diagnose, stage, and start appropriate treatment at the proper gestation to achieve the best pregnancy outcome without compromising the status of the mother. Care should be taken to provide both psychological and emotional support to the couple throughout the pregnancy by a trained healthcare provider. This review offers insight into the presentation, management, and feto-maternal outcomes of pregnant women with HL over the last 15 years.