Hemopoietic stem cell transplantation in lymphogranulomatosis

: Twenty patients with resistant and relapsed Hodgkin's disease were included into this investigation. The treatment effectiveness and regimen-related toxicity of BEAM-protocol were evaluated. Stem cell transplantation (SCT) was carried out either as bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in 11 patients or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) in 9 patients. A comparison of the results pointed to a significant decrease in neutropenia duration, fewer blood transfusions needed and shorter stay in hospital in the PBSCT group. Complete remission was observed in 90% of patients of the SCT group, 91%-in BMT and 89%-PBSCT groups. It was found that high-dose chemotherapy followed by SCT is more effective in the treatment of resistant and relapsed Hodgkin's disease and, in certain situations, it is a treatment of choice. As to the toxicity of BEAM-protocol, it does not exceed those of the other chemotherapy modalities used in SCT.