LONG-TERM RESULTS OF TREATMENT OF CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENT HODGKINS-DISEASE IN 73 PATIENTS - THE EXPERIENCE OF THE DEPARTMENT-OF-RADIOLOGY AND DEPARTMENT-OF-HEMATOLOGY OF THE UNIVERSITY-OF-ROME-LA-SAPIENZA

Purpose. Various experiences show no substantial differences between c hildren and adults in the treatment of Hodgkin's disease. In considera tion of some peculiar characteristics of these cases which might influ ence the therapeutical choice, particularly regarding long-term surviv al and therapeutical complications, we report the results of a series of 73 children and adolescents with Hodgkin's disease treated at the U niversity of Rome ''La Sapienza''. Methods. Between 1976 and 1983, 73 untreated pediatric cases of stage I-IV Hodgkin's disease were treated with radiotherapy, alone or associated with chemotherapy, using high doses and extended fields. Results. Fifty-six patients (77%) were in c ontinuous complete remission in April 1995 and seventeen (23%) had die d. Conclusions. The authors confirm the excellent results in the treat ment of pediatric Hodgkin's disease, both in terms of overall and rela pse free survival, in spite of a high incidence of complications cause d by the aggressive treatment used in this series. Therefore the major ity of authors suggest combined alternating low-dose radiation adminis tered with small portals and short-term chemotherapy. These procedures provide optimal results together with a significant reduction of comp lications. Consequently, it is very important to evaluate all patient characteristics accurately in order to tailor optimal treatment and se lect cases with risk factors which might be undertreated and therefore undergo a higher risk of recurrence.