Controversies in the management of early stage Hodgkin's disease

Treatment of stages I and II Hodgkin's disease is effective in controlling the disease in 80-90% of patients, and most will survive the disease, even in cases of relapse. However, investigators have not yet decided upon optimal management and patients should be encouraged to participate in trials aimed at resolving issues or asking new questions in biology, evaluation, and treatment of the disease. Therapy for patients with this disease must take into account pathologic interpretation, methods of staging, newly recognized prognostic factors, and issues of toxicity of therapy when planning treatment for each patient.