The management of older patients with hodgkin lymphoma

Abstract

Survival rates for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) have substantially improved during the past several decades. Using stage-adapted polychemotherapy regimens and innovative radiation techniques, 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) has reached almost 90 % in young patients. Since the median age at diagnosis is approximately 32 years, these excellent results account for the majority of patients. Unfortunately, this progress has not translated into a similar benefit for older patients, especially for advanced-stage disease. Survival rates for HL patients aged 60 years are significantly and disproportionately inferior compared with younger patient populations.