Radiation therapy alone versus radiation therapy and chemotherapy in the management of Hodgkin's disease.

Forty-four patients with histologically proven Hodgkin's disease underwent initial treatment with extended-field radiation therapy. Nineteen of these patients also received combination chemotherapy. For analysis, patients were assigned to three treatment groups: group 1 received radiation therapy only (25 patients); group 2 received combination chemotherapy followed by consolidative (low-dose extended-field) radiation therapy; and group 3 was treated with alternate chemotherapy and radiation therapy using the sandwich technique. The actuarial 5-year disease-free survival rates were 83% (group 1), 83% (group 2), and 100% (group 3). The overall actuarial survival rates were 96% (group 1), 92% (group 2), and 100% (group 3). No factor was identified as being of prognostic value in predicting relapse. We conclude that extended-field radiation therapy delivered in this manner is a safe and effective approach to the initial management of Hodgkin's disease.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes