Long-term toxic sequelae of the treatment of Hodgkin's disease

Abstract

In recent years, continuous optimization of therapy has decisively improved the prognosis of Hodgkin's disease. However, this improvement in overall survival has also led to an increase in several possible late effects which the clinician must be aware of. Due to the appearance of chronic fatigue symptoms, cardiopulmonary problems, hypothyreosis and damage to the gonadal system including azoospermia and ovarian insufficiency, the mostly young patients often suffer a persistent reduction in quality of life. In addition, the increased incidence of second malignancies following successful primary treatment presents a considerable problem. While complete remission and prolonged survival were previously the main objectives in the therapy of malignant lymphomas, reduction or avoidance of toxicity is now becoming more and more central. This development has led to the increasing importance of late sequelae and quality of life as endpoints in modern therapy trials in oncology.