ISSN:
1569-8041
Keywords:
ABVD
;
BEACOPP
;
chemotherapy
;
clinical trials
;
COPP
;
dose intensification
;
Hodgkin's disease
;
radiotherapy
;
risk factors
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Background:Treatment strategies in Hodgkin's disease (HD) arechanging fundamentally over the last decades. Both radiotherapy andcombination chemotherapy are effective treatment modalities. However, theoptimal choice of treatment or combinations of treatment is still debated fordifferent prognostic groups. Patients and methods:The German Hodgkin's Lymphoma Study Group(GHSG) initiated randomized clinical trials since 1978. Over the past 20years, more than 6000 patients with HD in all stages were randomized, treatedand followed by the GHSG. Patients are now being recruited from more than 300clinical centers. Results:As a consequence of different clinical trials, it is nowthe policy of the GHSG to tailor treatment to the individual risk of patients,giving favorable patients less intensive and less toxic therapy thanunfavorable patients. The treatment for early and intermediate stage HDbecomes quite similar with few cycles of polychemotherapy followed by involvedfield irradiation. In advanced stage HD, the introduction of dose intensifiedchemotherapy (BEACOPP), has improved treatment results and thus willsubstitute the MOPP or ABVD regimens. Conclusions:Although most of the patients with HD will be curedby modern treatment stategies, several questions are still subjects of ongoingclinical trials: 1) which chemotherapy regimen in which quantity will be thebest with respect to efficacy and toxicity and 2) which dose and field sizeof radiotherapy is adequate within the combined modality.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1008317426152
