Hodgkin's disease in a community oncology center: ten years' experience

A total of 77 cases of Hodgkin's disease have been evaluated and the patients treated at our institution during the past ten years. Advances in diagnostic technology and therapy have improved the outcome of the disease and overall survival. Therapy during this period has not been standardized. Radiation therapy was the primary initial treatment for stages I, II and III, with combined-modality therapy or chemotherapy alone used for more advanced stages. Five-year disease-free and overall survival for stage IA is 81 percent and 95 percent, respectively; 74 percent and 78 percent for stage IIA; 70 percent in both instances for stage IIB; 54 percent and 100 percent for stage IIIA; 75 percent and 100 percent for stage IIIB, and 57 percent and 69 percent for stage IV. Of 13 patients initially treated with chemotherapy, 77 percent have had a complete response. Of the 16 patients (88 percent) having a relapse, 14 have been salvaged with a variety of therapeutic approaches. Overall, five-year survival for 77 patients is 86 percent, with 70 percent having no relapse.