Objective: To explore the rational treatment for advanced Hodgkin's disease.
Methods: A total of 128 patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease was included in this study. They could be divided into 3 groups according to the treatment they received. Patients in group 1 (n = 99) were treated by combination chemotherapy plus radiotherapy. Patients in group 2 (n = 24) were treated by chemotherapy alone. The remaining 5 patients in group 3 were treated by radiotherapy alone. The chemotherapeutic regimens used were MOPP, MOPP alternating with CHOP, or with ABVD.
Results: The overall response rate of 127 evaluable patients was 96.1%. The overall 1-, 3-, 5, and 10-year survival rate was 91.4%, 70.3%, 56.8% and 52.4%, respectively. The complete response (CR) rate in the 3 groups of patients was 69.7%, 58.3% and 100%, respectively. Patients in clinical stage III with no bulky mass, no systemic symptoms, and their tumor was predominantly of lymphocytic or nodular sclerotic type had better long term survival than those in clinical stage IV with bulky mass, systemic symptoms, and with lymphocyte depleting, mixed cellular tumor. Better long term survival was seen in patients who showed complete response to combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy. At least 6 cycles of chemotherapy were needed.
Conclusion: Combination chemotherapy plus radiotherapy is effective in the treatment of advanced Hodgkin's disease.