Prognosis and future perspectives

Hodgkin lymphoma belongs to the malignant diseases in adults with the best cure rates. Nowadays, more than 80% of all patients experience complete recovery. Patients with early stage Hodgkin lymphoma can actually be cured in more than 90% of all cases. Even in patients with relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma, good long-term treatment results and complete recoveries can be achieved. However, a precondition for a successful outcome is an optimal and consequent therapy by an experienced clinic or treatment center.

Two thirds of all relapses occur within the first two or two and a half years after the initial manifestation and nearly all within the first five years. After five years, recurrences are rare, although cases of relapse after 10 20 years have been reported. The prognosis for relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma depends on several factors – the longer the initial diagnosis dates back and the more limited the tumor spread is, the higher is the chance for a permanent cure.

The German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG) conducts clinical trials for patients with primary Hodgkin lymphoma as well as for patients with relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma.

(more about the current trials...)

Future perspectives

Nowadays, most Hodgkin lymphoma patients can be cured by an adequate treatment. Thus, Hodgkin lymphoma is one the malignant diseases in adults with the best chances to be cured. Nonetheless, clinical science aims to further optimize the treatment methods in Hodgkin lymphoma. Therefore, current clinical trials also investigate aspects such as treatment-related long-term consequences and the patients’ quality of life. In Germany, the GHSG is the leading study group in Hodgkin lymphoma research. For over 25 years, it has been working on refining treatment strategies, and its achievements have essentially contributed to the fact that many Hodgkin lymphoma patients have a very good chance for permanent recovery today. This improvement in terms of cure rates is the direct result of a number of clinical trials conducted by the GHSG with several thousand participating patients.

The fact that a small number of patients can still not be cured from Hodgkin lymphoma is still insufficiently understood. Clinical science is investigating the reasons for this in order to help also those patients with adequate treatment methods. New therapeutic approaches are currently being tested. Especially antibodies that target malignant cells selectively (immunotherapy) are being evaluated and could represent a useful tool to supplement the established treatment modalities.