Baillière's clinical haematology
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Baillieres Clin. Haematol. · Sep 1996
Treatment of children and adolescents with Hodgkin's disease: the experience of the German-Austrian Paediatric Study Group.
In treatment strategies adapted to the specific problems in children with Hodgkin's disease (HD) high priority has been given to the reduction of late effects caused by radio- and chemotherapy, without sacrificing high survival rates. Combined modality treatment, as a standard option, has enabled reduced doses and fields of radiotherapy and lower cumulative total doses of critical cytotoxic agents. In Germany and Austria 1242 children and adolescents with HD have been treated in five consecutive multicentre studies since 1978. ⋯ In conclusion, the ratio of cure rates and late effects has been favourably balanced with OPPA and OPPA/COPP plus low-dose involved-field irradiation, especially in female patients. In boys, the risk of testicular dysfunction can be further reduced by substituting OEPA for OPPA. Age up to 18 years does not appear to bear any prognostic significance for the treatment results under the conditions of the therapy concept described.