This protocol addresses adults with classical Hodgkin lymphoma at early stage (stage I or II) who are classified as unfavorable. For patients in this category, the disease is considered high-risk yet potentially curable.
The unfavorable classification applies when one or more of the following risk factors is present:
Having none of these factors is considered favorable; the presence of any one or more defines the unfavorable group.
Initial treatment typically involves either combined modality therapy — chemotherapy together with radiation therapy — or chemotherapy alone. Patients in the unfavorable category generally receive more cycles of chemotherapy than those in the favorable group.
The primary goal is a negative PET-CT assessment — a Deauville score of 1, 2, or 3 — evaluated both during and after treatment. A negative result indicates no areas of concern and is consistent with complete disease remission. PET-CT findings may influence decisions about the type and duration of chemotherapy and the role of radiation therapy.
For patients in this category, the disease is considered to be high-risk yet potentially curable.
Having none of the risk factors listed below is considered favorable, whereas having one or more of the risk factors is considered unfavorable.
Initial treatment usually consists of either a combined modality therapy (chemotherapy plus radiation therapy) or chemotherapy alone.
Treatment generally involves more cycles of chemotherapy than for those in the favorable category.
Some drug combinations used for treatment of these patients (see Table 7 on pages 28–29) include: ABVD, ABVD followed by BEACOPP.
Results of PET-CT scans done both during and after treatment may affect decisions about the type and duration of chemotherapy and the use of radiation therapy.
A score of 1, 2 or 3 is considered negative, meaning there are no areas of concern.
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