Abstract
PurposeHodgkin Lymphoma (HL) is highly curable with well-established treatment regimens; however, the impact on patient’s health-related quality of life (HRQL) from diagnosis through survivorship is unclear. This systematic review aimed to describe the available literature on HRQL in HL, assess the quality of these studies, identify gaps in the literature and recommend further areas of research.MethodsFollowing PRISMA guidelines, we performed a systematic review to include studies assessing the HRQL in HL patients. Articles identified through database searches were screened and data extracted. Quality was evaluated using a 6-point scale, adapted from published HRQL systematic reviews.ResultsSixty five articles published between 1986 and 2015 met inclusion criteria. These included 53 (82 %) cross-sectional studies; 12 (18 %) longitudinal studies, including three embedded in randomized trials; and three additional longitudinal studies that began assessment at diagnosis. Study sample sizes of HL patients varied considerably with only five (42 %) longitudinal studies including more than 50 patients. Multidimensional HRQL was assessed in 45 studies, single HRQL domains in 22 studies, and symptoms, including fatigue, in 28 studies.ConclusionsThe majority of studies employed a cross-sectional design, enrolling HL survivors at least 10 years after the completion of therapy. Emphasis on HRQL following therapy may inform initial treatment decisions and long-term survivorship goals. We recommend that future research include prospective, longitudinal randomized designs across both treatment and time.
Highlights
Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) has well established treatment regimens that have yielded highly effective, long-term cure rates [1, 2]
Relevance to research and clinical practice This systematic review reveals the paucity of information on the health-related quality of life (HRQL) impact of initial diagnosis and treatment on HL patients
With the exception of an ongoing pediatric cooperative group trial, we found no prospective pediatric studies reporting on HRQL in HL from diagnosis to survivorship
Summary
Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) has well established treatment regimens that have yielded highly effective, long-term cure rates [1, 2]. In 2015, there were an estimated 9050 new cases of the disease, which is a much lower incidence than more commonly occurring cancers. The number of persons living with HL in 2012, was estimated to approach 190,000 [3]. From an oncologic perspective the successful treatment for HL over the last 25 years has led to a high number of long-term survivors. For younger people with HL, the aggressive cancer treatment often interrupts important developmental milestones, such as graduation from high school or college, establishing relationships, finding a first apartment or getting a job. Healthcare providers lack the information that they need regarding how best to intervene in a timely and effective manner to mediate HL’s acute and late-term effects
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