HD12 for Advanced Stages

This study is designed to test (1) whether the BEACOPP dosage can be reduced to baseline in the last 4 cycles without loss of effectiveness, and (2) whether consolidating irradiation is necessary following effective chemotherapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Hodgkin´s lymphoma (histologically proven)

• CS(PS) IIB with one or both of the risk factors:

  1. bulky mediastinal mass (> 1/3 of maximum transverse thorax diameter)
  2. extranodal involvement

• CS(PS) III, IV

• written informaed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Leukocytes <3000/microl
• Platelets <100000/microl
• Hodgkin´s Disease as "composite lymphoma"
• Activity index (WHO) < grade 2