Should adjuvant radiotherapy be used in patients with early stage Hodgkin’s lymphoma? A vote for yes

Abstract

Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) belongs to the most radiosensitive and chemosensitive cancers. Combined modality therapy is the preferred treatment for patients with classical favorable early-stage HL. However, late toxicity still remains an issue. A modern approach in HL radiotherapy includes implementation of sophisticated and dedicated delivery techniques together with the lower doses and smaller fields, which allow for reduction of early and late toxicity. In recent years, the question on the need for complementary radiotherapy in the early stages of Hodgkin’s lymphoma has been increasingly raised. The aim of the present review is to discuss the current role of radiotherapy and its potential future developments, with a focus on major clinical trials.