Ovarian function in young women in long-term remission after treatment for Hodgkin's disease stage I or II.

16 young women in long-term remission after first-line treatment for the early stages of Hodgkin's disease were examined for ovarian function 48 to 125 months after termination of therapy. The patients had received mantle field irradiation, plus either irradiation of infradiaphragmatic lymph nodes or 6 cycles of MOPP. 4 patients showed signs of ovarian failure judged by menopausal symptoms, menstrual pattern and/or hormone values. 12 patients had functioning ovaries; 8 of these had become pregnant after treatment, 2 had had an induced abortion, and 7 had given birth to a total of 9 healthy babies after treatment. The patients with signs of ovarian failure were older than the others, but the difference was not statistically significant. No difference between the patients who had received different treatments was established, nor does the study confirm the proposed protective effect of oral contraceptives. For women under 35 years of age, the long-term chances of preserving ovarian function after standard treatment for the lower stages of Hodgkin's disease seem to be much better than hitherto assumed.