Background:

Hodgkin lymphoma has a high rate of curability, even in advanced stages.

Aim:

To assess the results of Hodgkin lymphoma treatment using the ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) chemotherapy regimen.

Material and Methods:

Analysis of a database held by the Chilean Ministry of Health, including all patients treated at accredited cancer treatment centers.

Results:

Data for 915 patients, median age 35 years (range 15-86 years) and followed for a median of 97 months (range 1-347 months) were analyzed. Forty-one percent had localized disease. Overall survival at five years for localized and advanced stages was 92% and 74%, respectively. The figures for progression free survival were 87% and 64%, respectively. Patients with relapse who received autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) had a five year overall survival of 92%, compared to 64% among those who did not undergo this procedure (p < 0.01). The Guarantees in Health Program set up by the Ministry of Health, was associated with earlier stage disease at diagnosis.

Conclusions:

The ABVD regimen achieves high rates of cure in localized stages of the disease but the results in advanced stages are not optimal. ASCT significantly improves survival in patients with relapse. The Guarantees in Health Program is associated with earlier diagnosis of the disease.