Abstract

Four young women with diagnosed Hodgkin's disease (stage III b or IV) were treated with standard MOPP/ABVD chemotherapy. After 6 cycles they had residual retroperitoneal changes and to preserve fertility, therapy was subsequently continued as a single intralymphatic injection of 60 mg bleomycin in oily suspension. There were no severe adverse reactions as only transient fever and slight pain in the legs were reported. Follow-up X-rays showed a marked size reduction of retroperitoneal lymph nodes and disappearance of remaining B-symptoms. Each woman became pregnant within 2 to 14 months and gave birth to a healthy infant. Three of the women remain free of disease and one has had a recurrence in the primary site (the neck) and has been treated with second-line intravenous chemotherapy. Intralymphatic treatment of retroperitoneal lymphoma while preserving fertility may produce satisfactory results in selected patients.

Keywords: Hodgkin, treatment, Fertility