Hodgkin's lymphoma: the role of radiation in the modern combined strategies of treatment

Abstract

A history of the treatment of Hodgkin's disease with radiation therapy and chemotherapy is presented. Studies are reviewed examining treatment for favorable and unfavorable presentation of stage I-II disease, stage III-IV disease, and relapsed disease. In this era of combined-modality therapy we have reached the point of near-total conquest of Hodgkin's lymphoma, but challenges remain. Directions for future research are discussed.