Prognostic variables and results of salvage treatment in Hodgkin's disease

Treatment results and prognostic variables were studied in 549 adult patients with Hodgkin's disease after first-line and salvage treatment. After first-line treatment, 479 out of 549 patients (87%) achieved complete remission (CR), During a mean observation time of 74 months, 99 patients (21%) relapsed, Sixty-nine patients (70% of relapsed patients) achieved a second CR, Variables predicting poor response (<CR) and shortened survival after first-line treatment were advanced disease, B-symptoms and age >60 years, In relapsing patients, age >60 sears, relapse within 12 months and non-CR after relapse treatment predicted a poor prognosis, and none of these patients were alive after 10 years, Localized disease at diagnosis and relapse, and relapse later than 24 months predicted a good prognosis with 10-year survival after relapse of 68% and 57%, respectively, Patients with a second relapse had 5-year survival of 28% and 10-year survival of 14%. Based on the prognostic variables at first-line treatment and at relapse, selection of patients to more intensive treatment is discussed.