Long Survival in Hodgkin's Disease

Of 402 patients with Hodgkin's disease seen at the Memorial Center from 1949 to 1955, 90 survived more than 10 years. Lymphangiograms were not done during this period of time. Overall survival improved considerably compared with two previous reviews at the Memoral Center. Five-year survival improved from 17.7% to 38.3%. Ten-year survival improved from 7.7% to 22.4%. Stage IA and IIA patients had the best survival rate (28/74, IA; 26/73, IIA). Patients with extensive symptomatic disease (IIB and IIIB) also could achieve long survival and should not be considered hopeless. These results were achieved (with a few exceptions) with initial orthovoltage radiation therapy using moderate doses without "prophylactic" therapy. Factors of survival that could be demonstrated included stage of disease at time of biopsy diagnosis, natural individual defense against the tumor, and follow-up radiation and chemotherapy.