الفهرس 
Introduction and Aim of the WorkOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
In this study we assessed the role of high dose therapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with refractory or relapsed Hodgkin’s disease or non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas.
The study population included 92 patients (43 patients with Hodgkin’s disease and 49 patients with non Hodgkin’s lymphoma).
In the absence of disease progression and/or excessive toxicity following the first cycle, patients with refractory disease were to receive high dose cyclophosphamid and etoposide followed by stem cell rescue.
Regarding the group patients with non Hodgkin’s lymphomas, the only factor that clearly influences overall survival was prior exposure to radiotherapy.
On the other hand, the number of chemotherapy regimens employed prior to transplantation was the only identifiable independent factor that influences progression free survival on those patients.
All patients developed variable degrees and forms of non-hematological complications, which was reversible on most instances. However, nine patients in this series died due to treatment related causes.
According to our results, its clear that high dose therapy followed by autogous stem cell transplantation is an accepted modality for management of patients with refractory or relapsed Hodgkin’s disease or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Our results also demonstrated that when transplantation is carried out early in the course of the disease, before applying multiple therapeutic interventions, a better our come is anticipated.