[Hodgkin's disease: classification, staging, therapy]

Our present knowledge of Hodgkin's disease is briefly reviewed and the prognostic importance of histologic subtype and stage is demonstrated. Today's staging methods and the indications for laparoscopy and laparotomy with splenectomy are discussed. The indications and results of radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy are summarized. Roughly half the patients in stages III B, IV A and IV B survive 5 to 10 years after diagnosis without evidence of disease.