[Oral polychemotherapy in far advanced recurrences of Hodgkin's disease]

In 10 patients with heavily pretreated Hodgkin's disease (stage IVA or IVB) a third-line salvage therapy consisting of CCNU, etoposide and chlorambucil (CECh) was tested. All patients were resistant to both COPP and ABVD. Acceptance and tolerance of CECh were very satisfactory. The observed response rate (3 complete remissions and 4 partial remissions) is encouraging. The survival time after CECh therapy is in excess of 32 months (complete remission) and 15 months (partial remission). The main possible adverse effect is a prolonged myelosuppression. The CECh therapy is an effective alternative chemotherapy in patients resistant to both COPP and ABVD, moderately toxic, easy to administer and well tolerated in heavily pretreated patients.