Citations

BackgroundPrior studies in oncology have shown that a higher annual facility patient volume is associated with reduced mortality. Because classic Hodgkin lymphoma is uncommon but highly curable, this study used the National Cancer Database (2003‐2014) to analyze whether such a relationship exists for this disease.MethodsThe facilities were classified by quartiles, and random intercepts were used to account for clustering of patients within facilities. A Cox regression model was used to determine the volume‐outcome relationship.ResultsThere were 47,633 patients with classic Hodgkin lymphoma treated at 1310 facilities. The first quartile (Q1), which included 58.4% of the facilities, treated 3 or fewer patients per year, whereas the fourth quartile (Q4), which included 5.9% of the facilities, treated more than 9 patients per year. Compared with the patients treated at Q4 facilities, those treated at lower quartile facilities had a higher risk of death (hazard ratio for the third quartile [HR], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1‐1.29; HR for the second quartile, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.19‐1.38; HR for Q1, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.2‐1.39) after adjustments for all other factors (P < .0001). Compared with facilities treating 10 patients per year, facilities treating 40 patients per year had approximately 27% lower overall mortality rates.ConclusionsPatients with classic Hodgkin lymphoma treated at high‐volume centers had lower overall mortality than those treated at lower volume centers. Because this is a highly curable malignancy, such differences may suggest a benefit from referral to higher volume facilities or the emulation of their care models.

Abstract Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare histiocytosis of the “L” (Langerhans) group with multisystem involvement that can affect the large and medium-sized arteries mimicking vasculitis. Aortic involvement is common but the frequency and outcome of aortic branch vessel abnormalities are less well described. Patients with ECD were retrospectively identified. Images containing information of arterial involvement within 6 months of diagnosis were considered baseline and compared to last follow-up studies. Two physicians independently reviewed the studies to evaluate for presence of abnormalities attributable to ECD. Age and sex-adjusted logistic regression models were used to examine associations between patient characteristics and vessel involvement at baseline. Among a cohort of 64 patients with ECD, 63 had baseline imaging of vascular structures. ECD involvement of at least 1 segment of the aorta was observed in 56%. Abnormalities were also observed in aortic arch branches (26%), visceral branch arteries (40%), iliofemoral arteries (31%), coronary (5%), and pulmonary (3%) arteries. Perinephric fibrosis was strongly associated with the identification of abnormalities in the thoracic aorta (OR 4.92 [1.54, 15.75]; P = .007), abdominal aorta (OR 7.57 [2.28, 25.07]; P = .001) and visceral branch arteries (OR 6.05 [1.52, 24.03]; P = .01) but not pelvic/lower extremity arteries. Complete normalization of arterial abnormalities at follow-up was only observed in 9% or less of arterial segments involved at baseline. Aortic and aortic branch vessel abnormalities are frequently observed in patients with ECD and are often asymptomatic. Partial and/or complete resolution of arterial findings is uncommon.

Key Clinical Message The histopathology of reactive florid dermatopathic lymphadenopathy shows overlap with Langerhans cell histiocytosis ( LCH ) involving the lymph node, which may lead to misdiagnosis. These entities can be distinguished by recognition of the sinus‐based distribution of Langerhans cells in LCH , in contrast to the paracortical distribution of Langerhans cells, pigment‐laden histiocytes, and small lymphocytes in dermatopathic lymphadenopathy.