Diagnostic Procedures and Guidelines for the Evaluation and Follow-up of Hodgkin's Disease

Abstract

Because of the success of various treatment approaches in most clinical settings of Hodgkin's disease (HD), it is now both possible and necessary to consider late effects and cost in the selection of a treatment plan for a given patient. Staging and therapeutic strategies are inextricably linked, with some treatment approaches requiring more staging information than others. As we evaluate the therapeutic options available, it is also appropriate to examine the roles of both standard and newly developed diagnostic procedures used in HD to determine their value and cost in the overall management approach. This article defines the role of staging in various treatment approaches, reviews the results achieved with available diagnostic procedures, and offers staging guidelines for various clinical settings.