This study compared the effectiveness of two chemotherapy regimens, BEACOPP and COPP-ABVD, for treating advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma. 49 patients received either BEACOPP (25 patients) or COPP-ABVD (24 patients). The rate of freedom from treatment failure at 5 years was higher for BEACOPP at 76% compared to 69% for COPP-ABVD. Overall survival rates at 5 years were also higher for BEACOPP at 88% versus 83% for COPP-ABVD. While BEACOPP resulted in better tumor control and survival, it also had more acute toxicity including grade 4 leukopenia in some cycles.