PROGRESS IN THE TREATMENT OF HODGKINS-DISEASE IN THE UNITED-STATES, 1973 VERSUS 1983 - THE PATTERNS OF CARE STUDY

Background. The prognosis for Hodgkin's disease patients has improved significantly since the early 1960s. The reasons for this improvement are multifactorial. Methods. In the Patterns of Care Study of the Amer ican College of Radiology, national surveys to examine process and out come of patients treated for Hodgkin's disease in 1973 and 1983 were c ompleted. Data were compared for patients who had Stage I-II Hodgkin's disease and who were treated with radiation therapy alone. Results. C linical characteristics of the patients in the two different treatment eras were similar. There were important differences in treatment para meters. In 1983 compared with 1973, there was more common use of a ded icated simulator, performance of routine port films, use of linear acc elerators, use of individually shaped blocks, and treatment to extende d fields. Adequacy of treatment fields also was judged superior in the 1983 study. There were improvements in survival and relapse-free surv ival for patients treated in 1983 versus 1973.Conclusions. Improvement in radiation therapy technique is associated with an improved outcome for patients treated for Hodgkin's disease. The national standards ha ve improved during the time from 1973 to 1983.