Abstract
A number of issues are still unresolved regarding the optimal use of radiotherapy in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). With regard to the prognostic parameters used to identify unfavorable patients, there is a disagreement on the precise criteria between different trial groups that need harmonization. Inclusion of newly identified biological markers in the prognostic evaluation of patients is expected. Highly conformal radiotherapy in the combined modality setting is used increasingly, and the issues of the definition of the pre-chemotherapy lymphoma volume on the post-chemotherapy images pose both technical and patient flow coordination challenges. Lower radiation doses are now being documented. The benefit of radiotherapy in the relapse setting is not fully exploited. The use of PET scans to select patients for omission of radiotherapy is still experimental, and results of ongoing randomized trials are awaited. Advances in radiation and imaging technology should be fully implemented to the benefit of HL patients to maintain very high cure rates and minimize treatment-related morbidity.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Radiotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma |
| Editors | Lena Specht, Joachim Yahalom |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Place of Publication | Berlin |
| Publisher | Springer |
| Publication date | 2011 |
| Pages | 205-210 |
| Chapter | 16 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-3-540-78455-5 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-3-540-78944-4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 |