Analysis of prognostic factors after the first relapse of Hodgkin's disease in 187 patients

✍ Scribed by Pauline Brice; Yves Bastion; Marine Divine; Gérard Nedellec; Augustin Ferrant; Jean Gabarre; Oumedaly Reman; Eric Lepage; Christophe Fermé

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1996
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 635 KB
• Volume: 78
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0008-543X
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0142(19960915)78:6<1293::aid-cncr18>3.0.co;2-w

✦ Synopsis

BACKGROUND.

Patients in the first relapse of Hodgkin's disease comprise a heterogeneous group regarding their primary treatment and their clinical characteristics. Because therapeutic options for these patients vary from radiotherapy to combined modality or high dose therapy, we wanted to identify the prognostic factors that would optimize the treatment choice among the different options available.

METHODS.

Patients (n = 187) who relapsed for the first time after the end of treatment were included. Characteristics at diagnosis were: male to female ratio: 1.5; Stage I11 and N : 59%; B symptoms: 60%; and mediastinal involvement: 76%, bulky in 29%. Chemotherapy (27%) or combined modality (73%) was prescribed. Relapses occurred 3 to 192 months (median: 35 mos) after the end of treatment; for 39% this interval was <12 months. Characteristics at relapse were: Stage 111 and IV: 59%; and B symptoms: 46%. At first relapse, treatment was conventional (chemo-and/or radiotherapy) in 44% and intensive (high dose therapy with stemcell transplantation) in 56%. These regimens led to 85% complete responses; and 15% were refractory.