LONG-TERM PULMONARY-FUNCTION IN CHILDREN WITH HODGKINS-DISEASE

We studied the long-term pulmonary function of 25 patients who were at least 5 years post-treatment for Hodgkin's disease. The mean age of t he patients was 17 years (range 9.5-25 years) at the time of study. Tw enty-one of the patients were male. All patients received six courses of COPP chemotherapy and, in addition, 8 of the 25 patients received r adiotherapy to the mediastinum in low or moderate doses (20-30 Gy). On e patient had symptoms of bronchiectasia. The chest radiographs of nin e patients (36%) showed minimal abnormalities. We divided patients int o two groups while evaluating their pulmonary function tests according to whether they received mantle irradiation or not. In patients who r eceived mantle irradiation, pulmonary function tests showed a minimal decrease in FEV(1). The decrease in FEV(1) indicated an obstructive ve ntilatory defect. We concluded that our treatment protocols for paedia tric Hodgkin's disease were curative, well tolerable and might minimiz e pulmonary functional changes.