TREATMENT OF CHILDHOOD HODGKINS-DISEASE WITHOUT RADIOTHERAPY

Background. To minimize the side effects of treatment in children with Hodgkin's disease (HD), chemotherapy was given without radiotherapy. Patients and methods: From 1975 to 1984, 21 patients with HD having ly mph nodes <4 cm were treated with six MOPP courses. From 1984 to 1987, all children presenting with HD (n = 17) were given six ABVD courses. From 1987 to 1993 all children (it = 21) were treated with six altern ating ABVD and MOPP courses. Results. MOPP-treated children showed an event-free survival (EFS) of 91%, overall survival, 100%; ABVD-treated children had an EFS of 70%, overall survival, 94%; ABVD-MOPP-treated children had an EFS of 91% and an overall survival of 91%. Two cases d eveloped a second malignancy. Toxicity was low. Conclusions: In childr en, ABVD-MOPP treatment gives a good survival, and toxicity is low. Ra diotherapy is not needed to treat HD in children.