Pattern of failure after treatment of Hodgkin's disease [HD]

ABSTRACT

This study included 156 consecutive cases of Hodgkin's disease registered and treated at Kasr El-Aini Center of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine [NEMROCK] between 1978 and 1982 inclusive. Mean age of the whole group was 27.8 years. There were 114 males and 42 females. Sixty-seven [49%] were in stage one and two. Mixed cellular HD was the commonest histologic subtype in the present study [35%]. Fifty-three patients in stage one and two were evaluable. 85% were disease free after a mean follow up of 27 months. Nine patients in stage one, two relapsed after a mean time of 19 months with a range of 3-36 months; 6/9 relapses were in para-aortic region. Four were in previously treated sites. Second complete remission could be achieved in 6 of the relapsed cases. Only 39% of stages three and four could complete the prescribed treatment. 75% of those who completed this treatment achieved complete remission and 25% had partial response. Age and constitutional symptoms were the only positive risk factors that correlated with relapse in stage one and two