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Background: Hodgkin lymphoma survivors treated with infradiaphragmatic radiotherapy (IRT) and/or procarbazine have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. We investigated the cost-effectiveness of colorectal cancer surveillance in Dutch Hodgkin lymphoma survivors to determine the optimal surveillance strategy for different Hodgkin lymphoma subgroups. Methods: The Microsimulation Screening Analysis-Colon model was adjusted to reflect colorectal cancer and other-cause mortality risk in Hodgkin lymphoma survivors. Ninety colorectal cancer surveillance strategies were evaluated varying in starting and stopping age, interval, and modality [colonoscopy, fecal immunochemical test (FIT, OC-Sensor; cutoffs: 10/20/47 µg Hb/g feces), and multi-target stool DNA test (Cologuard)]. Analyses were also stratified per primary treatment (IRT and procarbazine or procarbazine without IRT). Colorectal cancer deaths averted (compared with no surveillance) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) were primary outcomes. The optimal surveillance strategy was identified assuming a willingness-to-pay threshold of €20,000 per life-years gained (LYG). Results: Overall, the optimal surveillance strategy was annual FIT (47 µg) from age 45 to 70 years, which might avert 70% of colorectal cancer deaths in Hodgkin lymphoma survivors (compared with no surveillance; ICER:€18,000/LYG). The optimal surveillance strategy in Hodgkin lymphoma survivors treated with procarbazine without IRT was biennial FIT (47 µg) from age 45 to 70 years (colorectal cancer mortality averted 56%; ICER:€15,000/LYG), and when treated with IRT and procarbazine, annual FIT (47 µg) surveillance from age 40 to 70 was most cost-effective (colorectal cancer mortality averted 75%; ICER:€13,000/LYG). Conclusions: Colorectal cancer surveillance in Hodgkin lymphoma survivors is cost-effective and should commence earlier than screening occurs in population screening programs. For all subgroups, FIT surveillance was the most cost-effective strategy. Impact: Colorectal cancer surveillance should be implemented in Hodgkin lymphoma survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) survivors treated with abdominal radiotherapy and/or procarbazine have an increased risk of developing colorectal neoplasia. Aims: We evaluated the clinicopathological characteristics and risk factors for developing (advanced) neoplasia (AN) in HL survivors. Methods: In all, 101 HL survivors (median age 51 years, median age of HL diagnosis 25 years) underwent colonoscopy and 350 neoplasia and 44 AN (classified as advanced adenomas/serrated lesions or colorectal cancer), mostly right‐sided, were detected, as published previously. An average‐risk asymptomatic cohort who underwent screening colonoscopy were controls (median age 60 years). Clinicopathological characteristics of AN were evaluated in both groups. Mismatch repair (MMR) status was assessed using immunohistochemistry (MLH1/MSH2/MSH6/PMS2). Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the risk factors for AN in HL survivors, including age at HL diagnosis and interval between HL and colonoscopy. Results: In 101 colonoscopies in HL survivors, AN was primarily classified based on polyp size ≥10 mm, whereas (high‐grade)dysplasia was more often seen in AN in controls. An interval between HL diagnosis and colonoscopy >26 years was associated with more AN compared with an interval of <26 years, with an odds ratio for AN of 3.8 (95% confidence interval 1.4–9.1) (p < 0.01). All 39 AN that were assessed were MMR proficient. Conclusions: Colorectal neoplasia in HL survivors differ from average‐risk controls; classification AN was primarily based on polyp size (≥10 mm) in HL survivors. Longer follow‐up between HL diagnosis and colonoscopy was associated with a higher prevalence of AN in HL survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors treated with abdominal radiotherapy and/or alkylating chemotherapy have an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of colorectal neoplasia in HL survivors.Methods: This multicenter cohort study assessed the diagnostic yield of advanced colorectal neoplasia detected by a first surveillance colonoscopy among HL survivors treated with abdominal radiotherapy and/or procarbazine. Advanced colorectal neoplasia included advanced adenomas (high-grade dysplasia, ≥25% villous component, or ≥10-mm diameter), advanced serrated lesions (dysplasia or ≥10-mm diameter), and CRC. The results were compared with those for a Dutch general population cohort that underwent a primary screening colonoscopy (1426 asymptomatic individuals 50-75 years old). This study demonstrated the results of a predefined interim analysis.Results: A colonoscopy was performed in 101 HL survivors, who were significantly younger (median, 51 years; interquartile range [IQR], 45-57 years) than the general population controls (median, 60 years; IQR, 55-65 years; P < .001). The prevalence of advanced neoplasia was higher in HL survivors than controls (25 of 101 [25%] vs 171 of 1426 [12%]; P < .001). Advanced adenomas were detected in 14 of 101 HL survivors (14%) and in 124 of 1426 controls (9%; P = .08). The prevalence of advanced serrated lesions was higher in HL survivors than controls (12 of 101 [12%] vs 55 of 1426 [4%]; P < .001). Serrated polyposis syndrome was present in 6% of HL survivors and absent in controls (P < .001).Conclusions: HL survivors treated with abdominal radiotherapy and/or procarbazine have a high prevalence of advanced colorectal neoplasia. The implementation of a colonoscopy surveillance program should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective of this observational study was to assess the influence of patient, tumor, professional and hospital related characteristics on hospital variation concerning guideline adherence in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) care. Methods: Validated, guideline-based quality indicators (QIs) were used as a tool to assess guideline adherence for NHL care. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were used to calculate variation between hospitals and to identify characteristics explaining this variation. Data for the QIs regarding diagnostics, therapy, follow-up and organization of care, together with patient, tumor and professional related characteristics were retrospectively collected from medical records; hospital characteristics were derived from questionnaires and publically available data. Results: Data of 423 patients diagnosed with NHL between October 2010 and December 2011 were analyzed. Guideline adherence, as measured with the QIs, varied considerably between the 19 hospitals: >20% variation was identified in all 20 QIs and high variation between the hospitals (>50%) was seen in 12 QIs, most frequently in the treatment and follow-up domain. Hospital variation in NHL care was associated more than once with the characteristics age, extranodal involvement, multidisciplinary consultation, tumor type, tumor aggressiveness, LDH level, therapy used, hospital region and availability of a PET-scanner. Conclusion: Fifteen characteristics identified at the patient level and at the hospital level could partly explain hospital variation in guideline adherence for NHL care. Particularly age was an important determinant: elderly were less likely to receive care as measured in the QIs. The identification of determinants can be used to improve the quality of NHL care, for example, for standardizing multidisciplinary consultations in daily practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malignant lymphomas constitute a diverse group of cancers of lymphocytes. One well-known disease is Hodgkin's lymphoma; the others are classified as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). NHLs are the most common hematologic neoplasms in adults worldwide, and in 2012 over 170,000 new cases were estimated in the United States and Europe. In previous studies, several practice gaps in hospital care for patients with NHL have been identified. To decrease this variation in care, the present study aims to perform a problem analysis in which barriers to and facilitators for optimal NHL care will be identified and, based on these findings, to develop (tailored) improvement strategies. Subsequently, we will assess the effectiveness, feasibility and costs of the improvement strategies. Methods/design: Barriers and facilitators will be explored using the literature, using interviews and questionnaires among physicians involved in NHL care, and patients diagnosed with NHL. The results will be used to develop a tailored improvement strategy. A cluster randomized controlled trial involving 19 Dutch hospitals will be conducted. Hospitals will be randomized to receive either an improvement strategy tailored to the barriers and facilitators found or, a standard strategy of audit and feedback. The effects of both strategies will be evaluated using previously developed quality indicators. Adherence to the indicators will be measured before and after the intervention period based on medical records from newly diagnosed NHL patients. To study the feasibility of both strategies, a process evaluation will be additionally performed. Data about exposure to the different elements of the strategies will be collected using questionnaires. Economic evaluation from a healthcare perspective will compare the two implementation strategies, where the costs of the implementation strategy and changes in healthcare consumption will be assessed. Discussion: The presence of variation in the use of diagnostic tests, treatment, and follow-up between different physicians in different hospitals in the Netherlands is important for patients. To reduce the existing variation in care, implementation of tailored interventions to improve NHL care is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Survivors of Hodgkin's lymphoma are at increased risk for treatment-related subsequent malignant neoplasms. The effect of less toxic treatments, introduced in the late 1980s, on the long-term risk of a second cancer remains unknown.Methods: We enrolled 3905 persons in the Netherlands who had survived for at least 5 years after the initiation of treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma. Patients had received treatment between 1965 and 2000, when they were 15 to 50 years of age. We compared the risk of a second cancer among these patients with the risk that was expected on the basis of cancer incidence in the general population. Treatment-specific risks were compared within the cohort.Results: With a median follow-up of 19.1 years, 1055 second cancers were diagnosed in 908 patients, resulting in a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of 4.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.3 to 4.9) in the study cohort as compared with the general population. The risk was still elevated 35 years or more after treatment (SIR, 3.9; 95% CI, 2.8 to 5.4), and the cumulative incidence of a second cancer in the study cohort at 40 years was 48.5% (95% CI, 45.4 to 51.5). The cumulative incidence of second solid cancers did not differ according to study period (1965-1976, 1977-1988, or 1989-2000) (P=0.71 for heterogeneity). Although the risk of breast cancer was lower among patients who were treated with supradiaphragmatic-field radiotherapy not including the axilla than among those who were exposed to mantle-field irradiation (hazard ratio, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.72), the risk of breast cancer was not lower among patients treated in the 1989-2000 study period than among those treated in the two earlier periods. A cumulative procarbazine dose of 4.3 g or more per square meter of body-surface area (which has been associated with premature menopause) was associated with a significantly lower risk of breast cancer (hazard ratio for the comparison with no chemotherapy, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.84) but a higher risk of gastrointestinal cancer (hazard ratio, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.69 to 4.30).Conclusions: The risk of second solid cancers did not appear to be lower among patients treated in the most recent calendar period studied (1989-2000) than among those treated in earlier periods. The awareness of an increased risk of second cancer remains crucial for survivors of Hodgkin's lymphoma. (Funded by the Dutch Cancer Society.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Female Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors treated with chest radiotherapy (RT) at a young age have a strongly increased risk of breast cancer (BC). Studies in childhood cancer survivors have shown that doxorubicin exposure may also increase BC risk. Although doxorubicin is the cornerstone of HL chemotherapy, the association between doxorubicin and BC risk has not been examined in HL survivors treated at adult ages., Methods: We assessed BC risk in a cohort of 1,964 female 5-year HL survivors, treated at age 15-50 years in 20 Dutch hospitals between 1975 and 2008. We calculated standardized incidence ratios, absolute excess risks, and cumulative incidences. Doxorubicin exposure was analyzed using multivariable Cox regression analyses., Results: After a median follow-up of 21.6 years (IQR, 15.8-27.1 years), 252 women had developed invasive BC or ductal carcinoma in situ. The 30-year cumulative incidence was 20.8% (95% CI, 18.2 to 23.4). Survivors treated with a cumulative doxorubicin dose of >200 mg/m 2 had a 1.5-fold increased BC risk (95% CI, 1.08 to 2.1), compared with survivors not treated with doxorubicin. BC risk increased 1.18-fold (95% CI, 1.05 to 1.32) per additional 100 mg/m 2 doxorubicin ( P trend = .004). The risk increase associated with doxorubicin (yes v no) was not modified by age at first treatment (hazard ratio [HR] age <21 years , 1.5 [95% CI, 0.9 to 2.6]; HR age ≥21 years , 1.3 [95% CI, 0.9 to 1.9) or chest RT (HR without mantle/axillary field RT , 1.9 [95% CI, 1.06 to 3.3]; HR with mantle/axillary field RT , 1.2 [95% CI, 0.8 to 1.8])., Conclusion: This study shows that treatment with doxorubicin is associated with increased BC risk in both adolescent and adult HL survivors. Our results have implications for BC surveillance guidelines for HL survivors and treatment strategies for patients with newly diagnosed HL.

Purpose: Involved node radiation therapy (INRT) was introduced in the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Lymphoma Study Association/Fondazione Italiana Linfomi H10 trial, a large multicenter trial in early-stage Hodgkin Lymphoma. The present study aimed to evaluate the quality of INRT in this trial., Methods and Materials: A retrospective, descriptive study was initiated to evaluate INRT in a representative sample encompassing approximately 10% of all irradiated patients in the H10 trial. Sampling was stratified by academic group, year of treatment, size of the treatment center, and treatment arm, and it was done proportional to the size of the strata. The sample was completed for all patients with known recurrences to enable future research on relapse patterns. Radiation therapy principle, target volume delineation and coverage, and applied technique and dose were evaluated using the EORTC Radiation Therapy Quality Assurance platform. Each case was reviewed by 2 reviewers and, in case of disagreement also by an adjudicator for a consensus evaluation., Results: Data were retrieved for 66 of 1294 irradiated patients (5.1%). Data collection and analysis were hampered more than anticipated by changes in archiving of diagnostic imaging and treatment planning systems during the running period of the trial. A review could be performed on 61 patients. The INRT principle was applied in 86.6%. Overall, 88.5% of cases were treated according to protocol. Unacceptable variations were predominately due to geographic misses of the target volume delineations. The rate of unacceptable variations decreased during trial recruitment., Conclusions: The principle of INRT was applied in most of the reviewed patients. Almost 90% of the evaluated patients were treated according to the protocol. The present results should, however, be interpreted with caution because the number of patients evaluated was limited. Individual case reviews should be done in a prospective fashion in future trials. Radiation therapy Quality Assurance tailored to the clinical trial objectives is strongly recommended., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Few studies have examined the impact of treatment-related morbidity on long-term, cause-specific mortality in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients., Methods: This multicenter cohort included 4919 HL patients, treated before age 51 years between 1965 and 2000, with a median follow-up of 20.2 years. Standardized mortality ratios, absolute excess mortality (AEM) per 10 000 person-years, and cause-specific cumulative mortality by stage and primary treatment, accounting for competing risks, were calculated., Results: HL patients experienced a 5.1-fold (AEM = 123 excess deaths per 10 000 person-years) higher risk of death due to causes other than HL. This risk remained increased in 40-year survivors (standardized mortality ratio = 5.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.2 to 6.5, AEM = 619). At age 54 years, HL survivors experienced similar cumulative mortality (20.0%) from causes other than HL to 71-year-old individuals from the general population. Whereas HL mortality statistically significantly decreased over the calendar period (P < .001), solid tumor mortality did not change in the most recent treatment era. Patients treated in 1989-2000 had lower 25-year cardiovascular disease mortality than patients treated in 1965-1976 (4.3% vs 5.7%; subdistribution hazard ratio = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.46 to 0.93). Infectious disease mortality was not only increased after splenectomy but also after spleen irradiation (hazard ratio = 2.81, 95% CI = 1.55 to 5.07). For stage I-II, primary treatment with chemotherapy (CT) alone was associated with statistically significantly higher HL mortality (P < .001 for CT vs radiotherapy [RT]; P = .04 for CT vs RT+CT) but lower 30-year mortality from causes other than HL (15.8%, 95% CI = 9.7% to 23.3%) compared with RT alone (36.9%, 95% CI = 34.0% to 39.8%, P = .001) and RT and CT combined (29.8%, 95% CI = 26.8% to 32.9%, P = .02)., Conclusions: Compared with the general population, HL survivors have a substantially reduced life expectancy. Optimal selection of patients for primary CT is crucial, weighing risks of HL relapse and long-term toxicity., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press.)

Background and Purpose: Total body irradiation (TBI) is a treatment used in the conditioning of patients prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We developed an extended-distance TBI technique using a conventional linac with multi-leaf collimator to deliver a homogeneous dose, and spare critical organs., Materials and Methods: Patients were treated either in lateral recumbent or in supine position depending on the dose level. A conventional linac was used with the patient midline at 350 cm from the beam source. A series of beams was prepared manually using a 3D treatment planning system (TPS) aiming to improve dose homogeneity, spare the organs at risk and facilitate accurate patient positioning. An optimized dose calculation model for extended-distance treatments was developed using phantom measurements. During treatment, in-vivo dosimetry was performed using electronic dosimeters, and accurate positioning was verified using a mobile megavoltage imager. We analyzed dose volume histogram parameters for 19 patients, and in-vivo measurements for 46 delivered treatment fractions., Results: Optimization of the dose calculation model for TBI improved dose calculation by 2.1% at the beam axis, and 17% at the field edge. Treatment planning dose objectives and constraints were met for 16 of 19 patients. Results of in-vivo dosimetry were within the set limitations (±10%) with mean deviations of 3.7% posterior of the lungs and 0.6% for the abdomen., Conclusions: We developed a TBI treatment technique using a conventional linac and TPS that can reliably be used in the conditioning regimen of patients prior to stem cell transplantation., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Background: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors have an increased risk of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. This study aims to evaluate whether survival of patients who survived HL and developed GI cancer differs from survival of first primary GI cancer patients., Methods: Overall and cause-specific survival of GI cancer patients in a HL survivor cohort (GI-HL, N = 104, including esophageal, gastric, small intestinal, and colorectal cancer) was compared with survival of a first primary GI cancer patient cohort (GI-1, N = 1025, generated by case matching based on tumor site, gender, age, and year of diagnosis). Cox proportional hazards regression was used for survival analyses. Multivariable analyses were adjusted for GI cancer stage, grade of differentiation, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy., Results: GI-HL cancers were diagnosed at a median age of 54 years (interquartile range 45-60). No differences in tumor stage or frequency of surgery were found. GI-HL patients less often received radiotherapy (8% vs 23% in GI-1 patients, P < 0.001) and chemotherapy (28% vs 41%, P = 0.01) for their GI tumor. Compared with GI-1 patients, overall and disease-specific survival of GI-HL patients was worse (univariable hazard ratio (HR) 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.65, P = 0.03; and HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.00-1.67, P = 0.049, respectively; multivariable HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.05-1.68, P = 0.02; and HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.03-1.72, P = 0.03, respectively)., Conclusions: Long-term overall and disease-specific survival of GI cancer in HL survivors is worse compared with first primary GI cancer patients. Differences in tumor stage, grade of differentiation, or treatment could not explain this worse survival., (© 2018 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose: While patients with early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) have an excellent outcome with combined treatment, the radiation therapy (RT) dose and treatment with chemotherapy alone remain questionable. This noninferiority trial evaluates the feasibility of reducing the dose or omitting RT after chemotherapy., Methods and Materials: Patients with untreated supradiaphragmatic HL without risk factors (age ≥ 50 years, 4 to 5 nodal areas involved, mediastinum-thoracic ratio ≥ 0.35, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate ≥ 50 mm in first hour without B symptoms or erythrocyte sedimentation rate ≥ 30 mm in first hour with B symptoms) were eligible for the trial. Patients in complete remission after chemotherapy were randomized to no RT, low-dose RT (20 Gy in 10 fractions), or standard-dose involved-field RT (36 Gy in 18 fractions). The limit of noninferiority was 10% for the difference between 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) estimates. From September 1998 to May 2004, 783 patients received 6 cycles of epirubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and prednisone; 592 achieved complete remission or unconfirmed complete remission, of whom 578 were randomized to receive 36 Gy (n=239), 20 Gy of involved-field RT (n=209), or no RT (n=130)., Results: Randomization to the no-RT arm was prematurely stopped (≥20% rate of inacceptable events: toxicity, treatment modification, early relapse, or death). Results in the 20-Gy arm (5-year RFS, 84.2%) were not inferior to those in the 36-Gy arm (5-year RFS, 88.6%) (difference, 4.4%; 90% confidence interval [CI] -1.2% to 9.9%). A difference of 16.5% (90% CI 8.0%-25.0%) in 5-year RFS estimates was observed between the no-RT arm (69.8%) and the 36-Gy arm (86.3%); the hazard ratio was 2.55 (95% CI 1.44-4.53; P<.001). The 5-year overall survival estimates ranged from 97% to 99%., Conclusions: In adult patients with early-stage HL without risk factors in complete remission after epirubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and prednisone chemotherapy, the RT dose may be limited to 20 Gy without compromising disease control. Omitting RT in these patients may jeopardize the treatment outcome., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background:   Despite recent improvements, many patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) ultimately succumb to their disease. Therefore, improvements in front-line chemotherapy of aggressive NHL are needed. Gemcitabine is active in lymphoma., Methods: We performed a randomized phase II trial of the addition of gemcitabine to standard CHOP chemotherapy with or without rituximab [(R)CHOP]. The trial was also designed to determine the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) of gemcitabine in this combination. Patients with previously untreated aggressive NHL were randomized to receive either eight cycles of (R)CHOP given every 3 wk or (R)CHOP combined with gemcitabine [Gem-(R)CHOP]., Results: Twenty-five patients were enrolled in the trial before early closure. Twelve were randomized to Gem-(R)CHOP and 13 to (R)CHOP. MTD of gemcitabine was 800 mg/m(2) given on days 1 and 8; dose-limiting toxicity was hematologic. Five patients (42%) treated with Gem-(R)CHOP achieved complete response in comparison with 10 (77%) treated with (R)CHOP. Median time to treatment failure was 1.5 yr for Gem-(R)CHOP and 3.1 yr for (R)CHOP. Three patients receiving Gem-(R)CHOP had serious pulmonary toxicity, when compared to none receiving (R)CHOP. One patient died of pneumonitis., Conclusions: In this group of patients, addition of gemcitabine did not seem to improve outcomes. Gem-(R)CHOP in previously untreated patients with aggressive NHL occasionally results in severe, potentially fatal, pulmonary toxicity., (© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

In patients with gastrointestinal lymphoma the most frequently involved site is the stomach (60%-75% of cases), followed by the small bowel, ileum, cecum, colon and rectum. The most common histological subtypes are extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The role of radiotherapy is most definite in early stage gastric lymphoma. The therapeutic approach for patients with gastric Non Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has changed significantly over the last decades. The primary treatment of limited gastric MALT lymphoma consists of Helicobacter pylori eradication. In case of insufficient response to H. pylori eradication or in case H. pylori is absent, irradiation of the stomach and perigastric lymph nodes to a dose of 30-40Gy in 15-20 fractions is indicated. In patients with gastric DLBCL conservative treatment with anthracycline-based chemotherapy alone or in combination with involved-field radiotherapy has become the therapy of choice., (2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The use of radiotherapy in patients with advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is controversial. The purpose of this study was to describe the role of radiotherapy in patients with advanced HL who were in partial remission (PR) after chemotherapy., Methods: In a prospective randomized trial, patients <70 years old with previously untreated Stage III-IV HL were treated with six to eight cycles of mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone/doxorubicin, bleomycine, vinblastine hybrid chemotherapy. Patients in complete remission (CR) after chemotherapy were randomized between no further treatment and involved-field radiotherapy (IF-RT). Those in PR after six cycles received IF-RT (30 Gy to originally involved nodal areas and 18-24 Gy to extranodal sites with or without a boost)., Results: Of 739 enrolled patients, 57% were in CR and 33% in PR after chemotherapy. The median follow-up was 7.8 years. Patients in PR had bulky mediastinal involvement significantly more often than did those in CR after chemotherapy. The 8-year event-free survival and overall survival rate for the 227 patients in PR who received IF-RT was 76% and 84%, respectively. These rates were not significantly different from those for CR patients who received IF-RT (73% and 78%) or for those in CR who did not receive IF-RT (77% and 85%). The incidence of second malignancies in patients in PR who were treated with IF-RT was similar to that in nonirradiated patients., Conclusion: Patients in PR after six cycles of mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone/doxorubicine, bleomycine, vinblastine treated with IF-RT had 8-year event-free survival and overall survival rates similar to those of patients in CR, suggesting a definite role for RT in these patients.

Purpose of Review: Radiotherapy is very effective in local control of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Unfortunately, long-term survivors exhibit an excess of life-threatening radiation-related late side effects. Consequently, there have been calls to cease the use of radiation in the primary treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma, although there is also support for the judicious use of combined modality treatment., Recent Findings: Most patients treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma are being cured with modern approaches. Recent publications confirm the superior efficacy of combined modality treatment over chemotherapy alone, but the initial gain in cure rate may be outweighed by late deaths due to various treatment-related diseases. Many patients may already be cured by chemotherapy alone. Classical risk factors can be used to distinguish favourable and unfavourable subgroups of patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma, but these risk factors cannot predict outcome in individual cases. A simple test to predict the likelihood of cure in individual patients would be of great benefit. Fluoro-deoxyglucose-PET scan investigation holds this promise., Summary: The present review deals with the role of radiation therapy in the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Objective: Several studies have shown that patients' active participation to their medical interaction is beneficial for their information processing and their quality of life. Unfortunately, cancer patients often act rather passively in contact with their oncologists. We investigated whether cancer patients' participation in radiation therapy consultations could be enhanced by specific communicative behaviours of the radiation oncologists (ROs)., Methods: Eight ROs and 160 patients participated; 80 patients in the pre training group and 80 patients in the post training group. The ROs were trained to use specific communicative behaviours that are supposed to encourage patient participation. In the training special attention was paid to communicative requirements in the first minutes of the consultation. The communicative behaviours of the ROs and the cancer patients were measured by the Roter Interaction Analysis System, and compared before and after the RO training., Results: From the start throughout the entire consultation, patients in the post training group participated more in interactions than patients in the pre training group: they discussed more psychosocial issues, expressed more concerns and contributed more to decision-making., Conclusion: Cancer patients' participation in the initial radiation oncology consultations can be increased by training of ROs., Practice Implications: The results suggest that doctors working with cancer patients should receive communication training and feedback on a regular base.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of the quality of involved-field radiotherapy (IFRT) on clinical outcome in patients with advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) in complete remission (CR) after six to eight cycles of mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone-doxorubicin, bleomycin, and vinblastine (MOPP-ABV) chemotherapy., Methods and Materials: A retrospective review of clinical and radiologic data, radiation charts, simulator films, and megavoltage (MV) photographs was performed. IFRT consisted of 24 Gy to all initially involved nodal areas and 16-24 Gy to all initially involved extranodal sites. Major violations were defined as no or only partial irradiation of an originally involved area, or a total dose <90% of the prescribed dose., Results: Of the 739 patients who were enrolled in the trial between 1989 and 2000, 57% achieved a CR; 152 of 172 patients randomized to IFRT actually received radiotherapy; and in 135 patients, quality control was performed. The overall major violation rate was 47%, predominantly concerning target volumes. The total dose was correct in 81% of the patients. After a median follow-up of 6.5 years, there was no difference in cumulative failure rate between patients with or without major violations. There was no relationship between incidence or site of relapse and major protocol violations., Conclusion: In advanced-stage HL patients in complete remission after six to eight cycles of MOPP-ABV, the outcome was not influenced by violation of the radiotherapy protocol.

Cancer patients' participation in doctor-patient interactions has been shown to be an important factor in the emotional processing of their condition, particularly when only palliative treatments can be offered. In this study, we assessed incurable cancer patients' participation in initial consultations with their radiation oncologists (ROs). RO stimulation of patient participation and discussions about treatment decisions were also measured. The entire consultation was videotaped and analyzed using the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS). Patients' participation proved to be low on medical information, but high on discussing their experiences and life circumstances. The ROs stimulated patient participation mainly by providing medical information and giving patients opportunities to tell their stories. Decisions about radiation treatment had previously taken place and were rarely discussed in the consultations studied. The results suggest that patient participation in palliative treatment consultations might be improved for facilitating patients' emotional processing of the incurable nature of their cancer.

Background: The use of involved-field radiotherapy after chemotherapy for advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma is controversial., Methods: We randomly assigned patients with previously untreated stage III or IV Hodgkin's lymphoma who were in complete remission after hybrid chemotherapy with mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone, doxorubicin, bleomycin, and vinblastine (MOPP-ABV) to receive either no further treatment or involved-field radiotherapy. Radiotherapy consisted of 24 Gy to all initially involved nodal areas and 16 to 24 Gy to all initially involved extranodal sites. Patients in partial remission were treated with 30 Gy to nodal areas and 18 to 24 Gy to extranodal sites., Results: Of 739 patients, 421 had a complete remission; 161 of these patients were assigned to no further treatment, and 172 to involved-field radiotherapy. The median follow-up was 79 months. The five-year event-free survival rate was 84 percent in the group that did not receive radiotherapy and 79 percent in the group that received involved-field radiotherapy (P=0.35). The five-year overall survival rates were 91 and 85 percent, respectively (P=0.07). Among the 250 patients in partial remission after chemotherapy, the five-year event-free and overall survival rates were 79 and 87 percent, respectively., Conclusions: Involved-field radiotherapy did not improve the outcome in patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma who had a complete remission after MOPP-ABV chemotherapy. Radiotherapy may benefit patients with a partial response after chemotherapy., (Copyright 2003 Massachusetts Medical Society)

Background: In a randomized trial concerning radiotherapy for age-related macular degeneration, fluorescein angiograms were taken of controls and patients. In this study the frequency of side effects in eyes receiving radiotherapy with the Nijmegen technique is compared with the findings in the eyes of controls., Methods: Patients receiving treatment were irradiated by two isocentric photon beams in four fractions of 6 Gy that were directed to the macular area at 30 degrees and -30 degrees with regard to the optical axis. The most recent fluorescein angiograms of the randomized eyes (32 treated and 31 control eyes) were scored by two independent researchers, using a scoring form with nine features of radiation retinopathy: nonperfusion, macular edema, microaneurysms, retinal hemorrhages, cotton-wool spots, perifoveal telangiectasis, vascular sheathing, retinal neovascularization, and radiation-associated choroidal neovasculopathy. The results were graded as: no retinopathy (grade 0), mild retinopathy (grade 1), moderate retinopathy (grade 2), and severe retinopathy (grade 3)., Results: In the treated group 6 patients (18.8%) were grade 1, 10 patients (31.2%) were grade 2 and 7 patients (21.9%) were grade 3. In the control group 9 patients (29.0%) were grade 1, 11 patients (35.5%)were grade 2 and 2 patients (6.5%) were grade 3. There were no patients with retinal neovascularization., Conclusion: With the Nijmegen technique a relatively high dose of radiation can be applied to a small retinal area. In only a minority of cases does some evidence of radiation retinopathy occur.