Study summary
Skipping radiation in early Hodgkin lymphoma led to more relapses, but not more deaths
94.2% vs 86.7%free of progression at 5 years, with vs without radiation
What was tested
Adults with early-stage favorable Hodgkin lymphoma and a clear PET scan after 2 cycles of ABVD were assigned to radiation or no radiation.
What they found
- At 5 years, 94.2% with radiation and 86.7% without had no progression.
- Overall survival was the same: 98.3% and 98.8%.
- Of 12 deaths, 4 were from second cancers and 1 from Hodgkin lymphoma.
What it means
A trade-off between more relapses without radiation and long-term radiation risks. Newer trials test immunotherapy to drop radiation safely.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team.
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