Late complications after Hodgkin's disease

Abstract

Hodgkin's disease is considered a curable disease. The use of appropriate staging techniques and treatment methods has resulted in long-term survival rates as high as 90% in early stages, 75% or greater in advanced stages. Long-surviving Hodgkin's disease patients, however, face new problems which have become apparent as greater numbers of successfully treated patients are followed for longer periods of time. They concern mostly chronic medical as well as psychosocial complications which can interfere with survivors quality of life. Hodgkin's disease therapy may result in severe infections, thyroid, cardiovascular, pulmonary, digestive or gonadal dysfunction. It may also result in secondary malignancy which is considered the most serious complication. This review focuses on the variety of medical problems considering subsequent nonmalignant complications, secondary malignancies, long-term patient quality of life and causes of death. Because the vast majority of patients who achieve remission remain symptom-free and enjoy a normal life, an attempt is made to provide estimated risk for individuals based on available data.