Hodgkin's disease: assessment of treatment and survival rates in Iran

Each year an estimated of 7,500 new cases of Hodgkin's disease are reported in the United States. It is a type of malignancy, where 75% of patients can recover and be cured with modern therapeutic approaches if presentation is in an early stage. While primary prevention is not a focus of attention, prevention of mortality is thus possible. The main objective of this investigation was to assess the current situation with the disease in Iran, with determination of 5- and 10-year-survival rates.

This retrospective, descriptive, analytical and cross-sectional study was performed on patients identified in Tabriz Shahid Ghazi hospital. The information obtained through medical files was organized and the rate of response to treatment and overall survival (OS) were computed. Resulting data were analyzed using SPSS10 and Chi-square software.

Overall, there were 121 male patients (67%) and 59 females (33%). The patient age (with a median of 31.8+/-17.1 years) did not show any effect on survival rate. Neck masses were the most common (40%) complaint among new patients, mostly classified as stage III. Mixed cellularity (47.2%) accounted for the most common histological subtype. Complete remission was achieved with the ABVD chemotherapy regimen, included in 37.6% of overall chemotherapy regimens. The five- and 10-year-survival rates were determined to be 65 and 61.3 percent respectively.

Chemotherapy was a significantly more effective treatment compared to other modalities, and provided complete remission in 52.7% of patients. Overall, 5- and 10-year-survivals were shown to be highest in patients treated with ABVD and a variant of the MOPP regimen, respectively. As general conclusions, early diagnosis, on time management of the patients, and use of appropriate treatment modalities provide significant prevention of mortality in Hodgkin's disease patients.