COMBINED TREATMENT OF HODGKINS DISEASES - AGE-SPECIFIC RESPONSES IN CHILDREN

The efficacy of combined treatment of 176 children of different age ha s been analyzed. All the children suffered from Hodgkin's disease whic h was treated according to protocols COPP, MOPP, DVPP, +radiotherapy, maintenance chemotherapy. The response to the treatment got worse at t he age of prepuberty and puberty, e. g. younger children had recurrenc es in 19.2 % of the cases, adolescents had in 33.3 %. The latter more frequently died of the malignancy progression. It is concluded that ch ildren older than 13 years are at greater risk of bad Hodgkin's diseas e outcomes and need more intensive treatment programs.