[Over 30-year experience of Polish Pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma Study Group for treatment of Hodgkin's disease in...

Currently over 90% of children with HD can be cured thanks to use of chemotherapy (CT) combined with involved field radiotherapy (IF-RT). From 1971 to 2001, 1062 children and adolescents with HD (stage I to IV) were treated in 10 oncological centers PPLLSG. Majority of patients were treated with CT combined with IF-RT. Year by year the intensity of therapy (CT and RT) was gradually adjusted to the risk-factor groups, and invasive methods of staging were also gradually limited. Supportive care was improved at the same time. Along with the modified therapy protocol, five consecutive periods of time (I: 1971-82; II: 1983-87; IIII: 1988-93; IV: 1994-96; V: 1997-2001) were analyzed. In the first period the basic CT was MVPP (mechlorethamine, vinblastine, procarbazine, prednisone), while later B-DOPA (bleomycin, dacarbazine, vincristine, prednisone, doxorubicin) was gradually introduced alone or alternately with MVPP. In order to decrease the incidence of late complications, the dose of IF-RT from 45 Gy to 15-30 Gy was reduced in the next periods. In V period in 21 children with stage IA and IIA with favorable prognostic factors, CT alone was used. The probability of over 5-year: overall survival, relapse free survival and event free survival were in the I period: 92%, 83% and 77%, in the II period: 97%, 92% and 89%, in the III period: 97%, 93% and 91%, in the IV period: 95%, 91% and 90%, in the V period: 95%, 95% and 93%. Decreased rate of serious complications was also observed. Intensity of therapy should be tailored to the stage of disease, and to other significant prognostic factors. The current strategy of diagnosing and treatment of HD is aimed at balancing between the highest possible cure rates and risk of late complications.