Hodgkin's Disease

Abstract

This synthesis of the literature on radiotherapy for Hodgkin's Disease is based on 104 scientific articles, including 2 meta-analyses, 22 randomized studies, 5 prospective studies, and 58 retrospective studies. These studies involve 38 362 patients.

The literature review clearly shows that radiotherapy is a cornerstone of treatment for localized Hodgkin's disease. At early stages, long-term survival is 80% to 90% when treatment is tailored to known prognostic factors.

There is a tendency toward increased use of chemotherapy as additional treatment, however no evidence shows that it increases survival.

To further improve survival following radiotherapy, an attempt is being made to reduce long-term toxicity by better defining the patient groups who require lower radiation volumes, and delivering a dose that is as low as possible to avoid secondary solid tumors or delayed cardiopulmonary or gastrointestinal effects, while not jeopardizing therapeutic results.

In advanced disease, radiotherapy may be needed as a complement to chemotherapy to effectively control bulky disease.

For recurrent disease, radiotherapy may be considered as relapse treatment or additional therapy in conjunction with high-dose chemotherapy.