Hodgkin's lymphoma in adolescents

To compare the clinical presentation, response to treatment, and long-term outcome of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) presenting in adolescents and young adults.

The British Columbia Cancer Agency Lymphoid Cancer database was used to identify adolescents (16 years to 21 years) and young adults (22 years to 45 years) receiving primary treatment for HL between 1981 and 2004. All patients were treated using adult protocols.

The study population included 259 adolescents and 890 young adults. There were no significant differences in histologic subtypes, sex, stages, or presence of B symptoms or bulky disease between adolescents and adults. Equal proportions of adolescents and adults were treated with radiation alone (38% v 35%), chemotherapy alone (13% v 15%), or combined-modality programs (49% v 50%). There was no difference in progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) between adolescents and adults, with 10-year PFS rates of 77% versus 80% (P = .67) and 10-year OS rates of 91% versus 89% (P = .42). In limited stage disease, 10-year PFS was 89% for adolescents and 89% for adults and OS 96% and 96%, respectively. In advanced stage disease, 10-year PFS was 71% for adolescents and 75% for adults and OS 88% and 86%, respectively. Actuarial risk of second malignancy for adolescents and adults was not different (P = .68).

Adolescents and young adults with HL have similar baseline characteristics and achieve similar outcomes when treated with the same protocols. The use of adult treatment protocols is a safe and effective strategy for treating adolescents with HL.