Initial relapses in previously treated Hodgkin's disease. I. Results of second treatment.

Two hundred forty-three consecutive patients with Hodgkin's disease who relapsed after an initial course of treatment at the Stanford University Division of Radiation Therapy underwent subsequent systematic evaluation and retreatment. An analysis of the influence of numerous parameters, including sex, histopathology, original stage, relapse site, and original and second therapy, on actuarial survival and on relapse-free survival was undertaken. Most relapses (87%) occurred within 3 years of the initial treatment course. The 5-year relapse-free survival measured from the time of second treatment increased from 14% before to 39% after the introduction of multiple agent chemotherapy (MOPP) for relapsing disease. Patients treated with MOPP chemotherapy for nodal relapses showed increased subsequent relapse-free survival (61%) when compared with patients treated only with radiotherapy for nodal relapses. Based on the combined findings of this analysis, recommendations are made regarding the management of patients with Hodgkin's disease who have suffered a relapse.