Radiation as salvage therapy for patients with Hodgkin's disease relapsing after MOPP (mechlorethamine, vincristine, prednisone, and procarbazine) chemotherapy.

Six patients with Hodgkin's disease who failed MOPP (mechlorethamine, vincristine, prednisone, and procarbazine) chemotherapy, with recurrences confined to lymph node areas, are reported. All patients were treated with tumoricidal doses of irradiation in mantle, inverted Y, or whole-abdominal fields. All six patients achieved complete remission, with minimal toxicity. Disease-free survival ranged from 3 to 38 months, with four patients remaining in complete remission at 9, 15, 27, and 38 months. Radiation therapy should be considered in patients failing MOPP chemotherapy with lymph node disease.