[Long-term survival after 1 or more recurrences of Hodgkin's lymphomas]

It is generally accepted that the prognosis in relapsing Hodgkin's disease is poor, and the literature contains few reports of cases that have involved one or more relapses and been cured. The evolution in 14 patients who suffered at least one relapse after initial complete remission is studied with respect to staging, histology, type of induction treatment, duration of complete remission, mode of relapse, type of retreatment and length of survival. Long term survival is reported despite one or more relapses, and it is concluded that relapsing Hodgkin's disease can be cured irrespective of the extension of the disease. The importance of an aggressive therapeutic approach in these cases is stressed.