Etiology of Hodgkins Disease

This volume reports the proceedings of a NATO Advanced Workshop held at Cameron House Hotel, Loch Lomond, Scotland, from May 2 - 5, 1994. The major impetus for this workshop was the realisation, over the past 7 years, that the Epstein-Barr virus is associated with a proportion of cases of Hodgkins disease and is likely to play an aetiological role. There were four main aims of the workshop: first, to discuss the recent findings in relation to Epstein- Barr virus and the aetiology of Hodgkins disease; second, to relate these data to the epidemiology of Hodgkins disease; third, to discuss other potential aetiological factors and finally, to discuss future directions for research into Hodgkins disease. Leading experts in the field have contributed chapters to this volume. There is some overlap among chapters, particularly regarding Epstein-Barr virus, thereby allowing different groups to express views on similar topics. Perhaps, however, the most surprising feature of the workshop was the lack of controversy regarding the role of Epstein-Barr virus in Hodgkins disease, an association that was treated with great scepticism at the beginning of the decade. The first three chapters, by Alexander, Taylor et al., and Levine el al., discuss the epidemiology of Hodgkins disease with particular attention to clustering and genetic susceptibility. These chapters represent the first attempt to bring together epidemiological and molecular studies in Hodgkins disease.