Hodgkin lymphoma – a survey of children and adolescents treated in Sweden 1985–2009

AbstractBackground. Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in children constitutes approximately 30% of all pediatric lymphomas in Sweden. The chance of cure is high, but the frequency of late effects has been considerable. Over recent years, efforts have been made to reduce treatment with maintained survival.Material and methods. All patients 0–17 years, identified in the Swedish Childhood Cancer Register as diagnosed between 1985 and 2009, were included. The material was analyzed using descriptive statistics and for survival estimates the Kaplan-Meier method was used.Results. Three hundred and thirty-four patients were identified during this time period. The median age was 14 years. Male sex was over-represented, especially in lower age groups and in nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL). In nodular sclerosis and in age group 15–17 years, female sex dominated. Most of the cases presented in stages I or II. B-symptoms were present in 38% of cHL, but only in 7% of NLPHL. The number of patients receiving ...