title: Lymphocyte-predominant and classical Hodgkin's lymphoma: a comprehensive analysis from the German Hodgkin Study Group.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma (LPHL) is rare and differs in histologic and clinical presentation from classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (cHL). To shed more light on the prognosis and outcome of LPHL, we reviewed all LPHL patients registered in the German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG) database, comparing patient characteristics and treatment outcome with cHL patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed retrospectively 8,298 HL patients treated within the GHSG trials HD4 to HD12, of whom 394 had LPHL and 7,904 had cHL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete remission and unconfirmed complete remission after first-line treatment was achieved in 91.6% v 85.9% of patients in early favorable stages, 85.7% v 83.3% of patients in early unfavorable stages, and 76.8% v 77.8% of patients in advanced stages of LPHL compared with cHL, respectively. Tumor control (freedom from treatment failure [FFTF]) for LPHL and cHL patients at a median observation of 50 months was 88% and 82% (P = .0093) and overall survival (OS) was 96% and 92%, respectively (P = .0166). In LPHL patients, negative prognostic factors were advanced stage (P = .0092), Hb less than 10.5 g/dL (P = .0171), and lymphopenia (P = .010) for FFTF. Age >or= 45 years (P = .0125), advanced stage (P = .0153), and Hb less than 10.5 g/dL (P = .0014) were negative prognostic factors for OS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The better prognosis of LPHL as compared with cHL might allow different treatment strategies, particularly for early-stage LPHL patients.
authors: First Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Kerpenerstr 62, 50924 Cologne, Germany. lucia.nogova@uk-koeln.de
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Nogová
authors: Thorsten
authors: T
authors: Reineke
authors: Corinne
authors: C
authors: Brillant
authors: Michal
authors: M
authors: Sieniawski
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Rüdiger
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Josting
authors: Henning
authors: H
authors: Bredenfeld
authors: Roman
authors: R
authors: Skripnitchenko
authors: Rolf-Peter
authors: RP
authors: Müller
authors: Hans-Konrad
authors: HK
authors: Müller-Hermelink
authors: Volker
authors: V
authors: Diehl
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Engert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome