The goal of therapy is to maximize cure. Limiting radiation therapy and other types of cancer therapies is reasonable to minimize side effects, but at times this path might lead to increased risk of cancer recurrence,” said Theodore DeWeese, MD, Chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Science at the James Buchanan Brady Urology Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.

“Dr. Parikh’s study shows that to maximize cure, early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma patients need radiation and chemotherapy. We always seek to maximize cure and minimize side effects. The belief that radiation has long-term consequences leads to omission of radiation therapy, perhaps inappropriately. Dr. Parikh has shown that perhaps these fears may lead some to inappropriately exclude radiation from the treatment plan,” Dr. DeWeese stated. ■

Disclosure: Dr. DeWeese reported no potential conflicts of interest.