The occurrence and management of esophageal fistulas resulting from Hodgkin's disease.

At their radiation therapy (RT) department, the authors saw a young woman with an esophageal fistula from Hodgkin's disease that was not responsive to chemotherapy; this prompted a review of the literature concerning such patients. Twenty-two patients with Hodgkin's disease and esophageal fistula were found to have been reported previously. Most patients had active disease at the fistula site, and most who were treated with RT or chemotherapy had prompt fistula closure. Fistula formation as a complication of RT for Hodgkin's disease was found to be an extremely unusual occurrence.