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      News & Perspective Drugs & Diseases CME & Education Academy Video Decision Point
      Drugs & Diseases > Hematology

      Hodgkin Lymphoma Guidelines

      Updated: Sep 22, 2023
      • Author: Bradley W Lash, MD; Chief Editor: Emmanuel C Besa, MD  more...
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      Sections
      Guidelines

      Guidelines Summary

      Guidelines contributor:  Priyank P Patel, MD  Hematology/Oncology Fellow, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, University at Buffalo

      Diagnosis

      Updated guidelines on the management of Hodgkin lymphoma have been issued by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) [4] and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). [5] The NCCN and ESMO guidelines have very similar recommendations for the diagnostic evaluation. [4, 5] Histologic evaluation is required for diagnosis according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of either nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) or one of four classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) subtypes, as follows:

      • Nodular sclerosis CHL (NSCHL)
      • Mixed cellularity CHL (MCCHL)
      • Lymphocyte-depleted CHL (LDCHL)
      • Lymphocyte-rich CHL (LRCHL)

      The presence of Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells is disease-defining for CHL. Detection of lymphocyte-predominant (LP) cells is required for the diagnosis of NLPHL

      Biopsy recommendations are as follows:

      • Excisional biopsy is preferred
      • Core needle biopsy can be considered if excisional biopsy is not possible
      • Fine needle aspiration should be avoided

      Other recommendations for diagnosis are as follows:

      • History and physical examination to determine presence of B symptoms (unexplained weight loss > 10%, fever, drenching night sweats)
      • Fatigue, pruritus, and alcohol intolerance should also be noted
      Next:

      Staging

      Both the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) [4]  and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) [5] recommend the Cotswold modified Ann Arbor classification for staging Hodgkin lymphoma. [126] See Table 1, below.

      Table 1. Cotswold Modification of Ann Arbor Staging System (Open Table in a new window)

      Stage

      Area of Involvement

      I

      Single lymph node group

      II

      Multiple lymph node groups on same side of diaphragm

      III

      Multiple lymph node groups on both sides of diaphragm

      The ESMO guidelines for staging and risk assessment include the following recommendations [5] :

      • Chest x-ray and a contrast-enhanced CT scan of neck, chest, and abdomen are mandatory

      • A baseline PET should be conducted, if this is available

      • A bone marrow biopsy is not indicated in patients undergoing PET-CT evaluation but must be carried out if PET-CT is not available.

      • Full blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and blood chemistry analysis are obligatory. Screening for hepatitis B and C viruses and HIV is compulsory.

      • After staging examinations are completed, HL patients are allocated to distinct risk groups depending on their clinical stage and the presence of clinical risk factors

      • Cardiac and pulmonary function tests should be performed out before the start of treatment

      • Reproductive counselling and consideration of sperm banking, oocyte collection, or ovarian tissue cryopreservation should be offered to patients of reproductive age before treatment.

      In 2014, the International Conference on Malignant Lymphomas, a multi-disciplinary team of researchers, representing major lymphoma clinical trial groups and cancer centers from North America, Europe, Japan and Australasia, published guidelines for the evaluation, staging, and response assessment. These guidelines were intended to be an update to the 2007 revised guidelines of the International Harmonization Project. [6] The revised recommendations for staging are as follows [127] :

      • PET-CT is preferred for pretreatment assessment and routine staging

      • Contrast-enhanced CT is more accurate for measurement of nodal size and is also preferred for radiation planning

      • Chest x-ray is not required

      • PET-CT is preferred for determining splenic involvement with cutoff for splenomegaly of more than 13 cm

      • Liver size is not a reliable measure of hepatic involvement; diffusely increased or focal uptake, with or without focal or disseminated nodules, supports liver involvement

      • Bone marrow aspirate/biopsy is not required for early-stage HL (stage I-IIA) if PET-CT was performed (an exception noted by NCCN is if PET-CT is negative but the patient has unexplained cytopenias [4] )

      • Bone marrow biopsy and aspirate is required for patients with advanced-stage HL (stage IIB-IV)

      In addition, these guidelines offered consensus on further modifications to the Ann Arbor staging classification. See Table 2, below. [127]

      Table 2. International Conference on Malignant Lymphomas Modification of Ann Arbor Staging (Open Table in a new window)

      Stage

      Area of Involvement

      Extranodal (E) Status

      I

      Single node or adjacent group of nodes

      Single extranodal lesions without nodal involvement

      II

      Multiple lymph node groups on same side of diaphragm

      Stage I or II by nodal extent with limited contiguous extranodal involvement

      II bulky*

      Multiple lymph node groups on same side of diaphragm with bulk >10 cm

      N/A

      III

      Multiple lymph node groups on both sides of diaphragm; nodes above the diaphragm with spleen involvement

      N/A

      IV

      Multiple noncontiguous extranodal sites

      N/A

      A/B

      B symptoms: weight loss >10%, fever, drenching night sweats

      N/A

      *Stage II bulky disease is defined as limited or advanced on the basis of histology and a number of prognostic factors.
      Previous
      Next:

      Risk Stratification

      Based on the clinical scenario, staging, and degree of end-organ damage, patients with Hodgkin lymphoma are further categorized into the following three groups:

      • Early-stage favorable
      • Early-stage unfavorable
      • Advanced-stage

      National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines define unfavorable factors for stage I-II as follows [4] :

      • Bulky mediastinal disease (mediastinal mass ratio [MMR; maximum width of mass/maximum intrathoracic diameter] greater than 0.33) or bulky disease greater than 10 cm
      • B symptoms
      • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) >50 mm/hr
      • More than two-three nodal sites of disease

      The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) guidelines recommend the slightly different definitions of risk factors from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer /Lymphoma Study Association (EORTC/LSA) and the German Hodgkin Study Group (GSHG), as outlined in Table 3, below. [5]

      Table 3. Unfavorable Risk Factors for Stages I and II Hodgkin Lymphoma (Open Table in a new window)

      Risk Factor

      GSHG

      EORTC/LSA

      Age

                         –

      ≥50 y

      Histology

                         –

      MC or LD

      ESR or B symptoms

      >50 mm/hr if A or >30 if B

      >50 mm/hr if A or > 30 if B

      Mediastinal mass*

      MMR >0.33

      MMR >0.35

      Number of nodal sites

      >2

      >3

      Extranodal lesions

      Any

                         –

      * Mediastinal mass is measured on chest x-ray by the mediastinal mass ratio (MMR), which is the maximum width of the mass/maximum intrathoracic diameter.ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate; LD = lymphocyte depletion; MC = mixed cellularity.

      Patients with advanced disease are further risk stratified using the International Prognostic Score (IPS), which includes the following risk factors (for scoring, each factor receives 1 point) [31] :

      • Albumin < 4 g/dL
      • Hemoglobin < 0.5 g/dL
      • Male
      • Age ≥45 y
      • Stage IV disease
      • Leukocytosis: white blood cell count (WBC) >15,000/μL
      • Lymphopenia: Lymphocyte count < 8% of WBC and/or absolute lymphocyte count < 600 cells/μL

      Based on the IPS score, patients with advanced disease can be categorized as follows [127] :

      • Good risk (IPS 0-1)
      • Fair risk (IPS 2-3)
      • Poor risk (IPS 4-7)
      Previous
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      Treatment for Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma

      Recommendations for primary treatment of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) vary by stage and risk stratification. Chemotherapy is followed by restaging with PET-CT.

      On the basis of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET findings, a Deauville score can be assigned. The Deauville score is based on visual interpretation of FDG uptake by FDG-avid (or previously FDG-avid) lesions, compared with two reference points: the mediastinum (which represents the blood pool) and the liver. [128] Scores are as follows:

      1. No uptake or no residual uptake (when used interim) 
      2. Slight uptake, but equal to or less than that of blood pool (mediastinum) 
      3. Uptake above mediastinal, but below or equal to uptake in the liver
      4. Uptake slightly to moderately higher than liver
      5. Markedly increased uptake or any new lesion (on response evaluation)

      Early-stage favorable disease

      Combined modality is the treatment of choice in patients with early-stage cHL. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines give the ABVD (doxorubicin [Adriamycin]/bleomycin/vinblastine/dacarbazine) regimen a category 1 rating (ie, the recommendation is based on high-level evidence and uniform NCCN consensus that the intervention is appropriate), but also list an 8-week Stanford V regimen (doxorubicin, vinblastine, mechlorethamine [or cyclophosphamide], etoposide, vincristine, bleomycin, and prednisone) as an alternative. [4]

      ABVD is administered in four cycles. However, two cycles are suggested in highly selected patients with very favorable (stage IA/IIA) disease characterized by the following [4] :

      • No bulky disease
      • No extralymphatic involvement
      • Fewer than three sites of disease
      • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) < 30 mm/hr, or < 50 mm/hr in patients without B symptoms

      After initial ABVD and interim restaging with PET/CT, the NCCN recommends subsequent management according to the patient’s Deauville score, as follows [4] :

      • Deauville score of 1 to 2: Two additional cycles of ABVD are preferred; or involved-site radiation therapy (ISRT) (20 Gy), or one cycle of ABVD with or without ISRT (30 Gy)
      • Deauville score of 3: ISRT (20 Gy) or ABVD (2 cycles) plus ISRT (30 Gy) or ABVD (4 cycles)
      • Deauville score of 4: Two additional cycles of ABVD followed by interim PET/CT may be considered prior to ISRT (30 Gy).
      • Deauville score of 5: Biopsy is recommended. If the biopsy is negative, patients may be treated with two additional cycles of ABVD and ISRT (30 Gy). A repeat PET/CT could be considered before initiation of RT. If the biopsy is positive, patients should be managed as described for refractory disease.

      The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) guidelines recommend two to three cycles of ABVD followed by ISRT. Alternatively, patients may undergo PET-CT scanning after two cycles of ABVD: PET-postive patients then receive two cycles of BEACOPPesc (bleomycin/etoposide/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide/vincristine/procarbazine/prednisone in escalated dose) followed by 30Gy ISRT; PET-negative patients undergo one cycle of BEACOPPesc followed by 20Gy ISRT. [5]  

      ESMO notes that whether RT can be omitted in selected patients with complete metabolic response at interim PET is a matter of debate. However, this approach may be offered to individual patients in whom the late risk of RT is thought to outweigh the short-term benefit of improved disease control. [5]

      Early-stage unfavorable disease

      Stage I-II unfavorable, non-bulky disease

      According to NCCN guidelines, if the preference is to treat with combined-modality therapy, the preferred approach, recommended options for subsequent management depend on the patient’s Deauville score, as follows [4] :

      • Deauville score of 1 to 2: Two additional cycles of ABVD and ISRT
      • Deauville score of 3 to 4: Either two additional cycles of ABVD alone (preferred if Deauville 3) or two cycles of escalated BEACOPP (preferred for Deauville 4 or 5). PET restaging may be considered at this point and patients are followed up with ISRT (30 Gy).
      • Deauville score of 5: Biopsy is recommended. If the biopsy is negative, patients are treated as described for a Deauville score of 3 to 4. All patients with a positive biopsy should be managed as described for refractory disease.

      If there is a preference to treat patients with chemotherapy alone, the treatment recommendations are the same as for stage I–II favorable, non-bulky disease.

      The ESMO guidelines recommend four cycles of ABVD with involved-field radiation therapy (IFRT). In younger patients (≤60 years) a more intensive treatment can be considered, consisting of two cycles of escalated BEACOPP followed by two cycles of ABVD with IFRT. [5]

      Stage I-II unfavorable, bulky mediastinal disease or adenopathy >10 cm

      According to NCCN guidelines, after initial ABVD and interim restaging with PET, subsequent management by the patient’s Deauville score is as follows [4] :

      • Deauville score of 1 to 3: Two additional cycles of ABVD plus ISRT or four cycles of AVD with or without ISRT
      • Deauville score of 4: Two additional cycles of ABVD or two to three cycles of escalated BEACOPP followed by PET and ISRT or an additional cycle of escalated BEACOPP, if they were previously treated with three cycles of escalated BEACOPP.
      • Deauville score of 5: Biopsy is recommended. If the biopsy is negative, management is as described for patients with a Deauville score of 4. Patients with a positive biopsy should be managed as described for refractory disease. Alternatively, two cycles of escalated BEACOPP may be given, followed by PET and ISRT.

      Advanced-stage disease

      NCCN guidelines advise that chemotherapy is always used for patients with advanced-stage disease (stage III-IV), but combined-modality therapy is used in some treatment regimens, especially for patients with bulky disease and in those who show a poor response to chemotherapy in other treatment regimens. [4]

      After initial ABVD and interim restaging with PET, subsequent management by the patient’s Deauville score is as follows:

      • Deauville score of 1 to 3: Four cycles of AVD, then observation or ISRT to initially bulky or selected PET-positive sites.
      • Deauville score of 4: Two additional cycles of ABVD or two cycles of escalated BEACOPP followed by reassessment of response with PET.
      • Deauville score of 5: Two cycles of BEACOPP may be considered in select cases, but biopsy is recommended. If a biopsy is negative, treatment is as for a Deauville score of 4; if it is positive, management is as described for refractory disease.

      The addition of brentuximab vedotin to AVD is a category 2A option in select patients with no known neuropathy, if the International Prognostic Score (IPS) ≥4 or bleomycin is contraindicated.

      The ESMO guidelines recommend the following [5] :

      • ABVD for six to eight cycles, followed by localized radiotherapy of residual lymphoma larger than 1.5 cm

      • Escalated BEACOPP for six cycles, followed by localized radiotherapy of residual lymphoma larger than 2.5 cm

      Older patients

      The NCCN recommends enrollment in a clinical trial, when available, for patients older than 60 years with classical HL. [4] Otherwise, the NCCN recommends considering the regimens listed below in order to lessen or minimize toxicity, although they have not been proven to improve disease outcomes in older patients.

      Stage I-II favorable disease options are as follows:

      • ABVD (preferred) or AVD, followed by ISRT
      • CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin [hydroxydaunomycin], vincristine [Oncovin], prednisolone) with ISRT
      • VEPEMB (vinblastine, cyclophosphamide, procarbazine, prednisone, etoposide, mitoxantrone, bleomycin) with or without ISRT

      Stage I–II unfavorable or stage III–IV disease options are as follows:

      • ABVD plus brentuximab vedotin lead in followed by AVD and brentuximab vedotin maintenance
      • Brentuximab vedotin plus dacarbazine (DTIC)
      • CHOP
      • PVAG (prednisone, vinblastine, doxorubicin, gemcitabine)
      • VEPEMB with or without ISRT

      Refractory or relapsed disease

      NCCN guidelines recommend second-line systemic therapy followed by response assessment with PET for all patients with refractory or relapsed disease. [4] Other options include the following:

      • Further cytoreduction and high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell rescue (HDT/ASCR), with RT if not previously given
      • RT or systemic therapy with or without RT
      • Conventional-dose second-line systemic therapy may precede HDT/ASCR
      • RT should be strongly considered for selected sites of relapse that have not been previously irradiated. In radiation-naïve patients, total lymphoid irradiation may be an appropriate component of HDT/ASCR.

      ESMO guidelines recommend high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for refractory or relapsed disease. The selection of second-line chemotherapy is determined by comparison with the agents previously used. [5] Brentuximab vedotin is recommended for patients who have a failure of ASCT or failure of at least two prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimens. [5]

      Previous
      Next:

      Treatment for NLPHL

      Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a distinct entity with unique clinical features and a different treatment paradigm. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) prefers involved-site radiation therapy (ISRT) over involved-field radiation therapy (IFRT) for treatment of early-stage favorable NLPHL. (Involved-site fields are generally smaller than classic involved fields.) For early-stage unfavorable or advanced-stage NLPHL, an ABVD regimen (doxorubicin [Adriamycin]/bleomycin/vinblastine/dacarbazine) plus ISRT is recommended. CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin [hydroxydaunorubicin], vincristine [Oncovin], and prednisone) may also be used. [4]

      Rituximab may be considered in combination with ABVD or CHOP. For refractory disease, maintenance rituximab may be considered. Individualized treatment is recommended. At relapse, patients biopsy should be performed due to the high rate of conversion to aggressive B-cell lymphoma. [4]

      ESMO recommends IFRT for treatment of patients with stage IA NLPHL who have no risk factors. For early-stage unfavorable or advanced stage disease, the treatment recommendation is identical to that for CHL. [5]

      Previous
      Next:

      Long-Term Monitoring

      Both the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) [4] and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) [5] guidelines provide recommendations for the long-term follow-up of treated patients with Hodgkin lymphoma who are in complete remission. The NCCN recommends interim physical exams and blood tests every 3 to 6 months for 1 to 2 years and then every 6 to 12 months for the next 3 years and then annually. [4] ESMO suggests follow-up every 3 months for the first 6 months, and every 6 months until year 4, then annually. [5]

      Follow-up examination recommendations are similar for both guidelines, but those from the NCCN are more detailed. NCCN recommendation for follow-up in the first 5 years include the following [4] :

      • History and physical examination

      • Complete blood cell count (CBC), serum chemistry panel, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

      • Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels (at least annually if the patient has had neck radiation therapy)

      • Annual influenza vaccine

      • Neck/chest/abdomen/pelvis CT scan with contrast, at 6, 12, and 24 mo following completion of therapy, or as clinically indicated, is acceptable

      • PET/CT is recommended only if last PET was Deauville 4-5, to confirm complete response

      Recommendations for annual monitoring for late complications after 5 years include the following [5] :

      • CBC, serum chemistry panel, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

      • TSH levels (at least annually if the patient had neck radiation therapy)

      • Biannual lipids assay

      • Annual fasting glucose

      • Blood pressure monitoring

      • Management of cardiovascular risk factors; stress test/echocardiogram and carotid ultrasound (if the patient has had neck radiation therapy) every 10 years

      • Vaccinations against pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, and meningococcus (especially in patients who have had splenectomy), with revaccination every 5-7 years

      • Annual influenza vaccine

      • Chest x-ray or low-dose CT scans of the chest in patients with increased risk of lung cancer

      • In women who have received chest irradiation¸ annual screening with mammography, starting at age 40 years or 8-10 years after radiation therapy; breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in addition to mammography is indicated for patients who received chest radiation therapy between the ages of 10 and 30 years

       

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