Inclusion Criteria

Inclusion criteria:

- Previously untreated, histologically proven classical Hodgkin lymphoma

- Clinical stages III/IV (Ann Arbor)

- Age 18-60

- WHO performance 0-2

- Adequate organ function

- Patients of childbearing/reproductive potential should use adequate birth control
measures during the whole duration of study treatment.

- Written informed consent according to ICH/EU Good Clinical Practice, and
national/local regulations

Exclusion criteria:

- Pregnancy or lactation

- Specific contraindications to BEACOPPesc therapy, including:

- Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus

- HIV infection,

- Chronic active hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C

- Concomitant or previous malignancies with the exception of basal cell skin tumors,
adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix and any cancer that has been in
complete remission for >5 years

- Psychological, familial, sociological or geographical condition potentially hampering
compliance with the study protocol and follow-up schedule; those conditions should be
discussed with the patient before registration in the trial