[Second primary tumors in patients treated at an early age for Hodgkin's disease; consequences for the follow-up]

Abstract

As curative treatment is now available for a substantial group of cancer patients, it is increasingly important to evaluate how late complications of treatment affect their long-term survival. Two recent publications summarize the second malignancies in survivors of Hodgkin's disease treated during adolescence or young adulthood. After more than 20 years' follow-up, the risk of solid tumours is still much greater in survivors of Hodgkin's disease than in the population at large. Age at treatment has a major effect on the occurrence of second malignancy. Reassuringly, the increased risk of solid tumours in patients who were less than 20 years of age seems to decrease as these patients grow older. The data of these studies suggest that chemotherapy may increase the risk of solid tumours from radiotherapy. Special alertness to symptoms of second malignancies is advised during follow-up after treatment for Hodgkin's disease, especially in patients treated below the age of 20.