HODGKIN LYMPHOMA IN CHILDREN: A 16-YEAR EXPERIENCE AT THE CHILDREN’S WELFARE TEACHING HOSPITAL OF BAGHDAD, IRAQ

Background : Childhood Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is an eminently curable disease. Good outcomes can be achieved even in resource-limited settings, and the focus is increasingly on limiting long-term toxicity. Contemporary treatment incorporates a risk-stratified, responseadapted approach using multiagent chemotherapy with/without low-dose radiotherapy. Many developing countries continue to use ABVD-based regimens due to limited acute toxicity, cost, and ease of delivery. Objective : We herein report the outcomes of childhood HL diagnosed and treated in an Iraqi single centre over 16 years. Methods : Children <= 14 years old with biopsy -proven HL were enrolled. Most patients received ABVD chemotherapy or COPP/ABV when Dacarbazine was unavailable. Radiotherapy was not available. Results : Three hundred-three children were consecutively newly diagnosed with HL; 284 were considered eligible for the retrospective analysis (treatment refusals 9; deaths before therapy 5; initially diagnosed of non-Hodgkin lymphoma 5). ABVD scheme was administered to 184 children (65%), COPP/ABV to 83 (29%), and other schemes to the remaining 17 patients. Complete response (CR) was achieved in 277 (98%); 4 (1.4%) showed disease progression, and 1 had stable disease. Four patients in CR abandoned therapy and were in CR at the time of analysis, 2 died from infection. Relapse occurred in 42 patients (15%). The 15-year OS and EFS are 89.7% and 70.3%, respectively. Conclusion : In this single Centre, over 16 years, almost 90% of children suffering from HL survive, despite the numerous limitations in diagnostic procedures, shortage of chemotherapy, no radiotherapy facilities, absence of effective second-line treatments, and finally, therapy abandonment for social and financial reasons.