Treatment of early-stage Hodgkin's disease.

The management of early-stage Hodgkin's disease has been evolving over the past 25 years, largely due to recognition of early and late complications associated with radiation therapy and the demonstration of minimally toxic but effective chemotherapy. Thus, extended-field radiation is no longer the "gold standard" of treatment. Rather, combined modality approaches with abbreviated chemotherapy and limited radiation, which obviates the need for precise staging offered by laparotomy, provide excellent results with the potential for fewer adverse late effects. Several controlled clinical trials are ongoing to determine the minimal duration of chemotherapy and extent and dose of radiotherapy that will not compromise the excellent cure rate of early-stage disease.