[Initial bone marrow involvement in Hodgkin's disease (author's transl)]

Twenty-five patients with Hodgkin's disease and evidence of bone marrow involvement (BM +) were compared with 25 other Hodgkin patients, chosen at random, who had visceral lesions but free bone marrow (BM -). Both groups were observed throughout the same period. The first evaluation showed that bone marrow involvement was more frequent in male patients and that it produced medullary hypoplasia with WBC and platelet counts lower than in BM - patients. However, bone marrow involvement can only be ascertained by medullar biopsy. BM + patients were treated with multiple chemotherapy (mostly MOPP). Positive response was obtained in 64% and complete remission in 50%, as compared with 70% and 50% respectively in BM - patients. There was no significant difference in overall survival rate between the two groups. It remained in plateau at 50.5% after two years in BM + patients and at 63% after 27 months in BM - patients. When complete remission was obtained the survival rate after one year was 90% for BM + patients and 100% for BM - patients. In the absence of complete remission, however, the median survival time was inferior to one year in both groups. The dosage levels and side-effects of chemotherapeutic agents were similar in both groups, but cytopenia was more pronounced in BM + patients.