[Post-therapy surveillance in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas]

Abstract

Post-treatment surveillance in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is required for an early diagnosis of a relapse and for the detection of a potential late treatment-related complication. The risk of relapse is highest during the first 2 years in aggressive lymphomas. The risk of relapse decreases then and becomes very low after the 5th year of follow-up. For low-grade lymphomas, the relapse rate remains constant for a longer period and late relapses are more common. Clinical examination and biological tests (blood cell count, lactate dehydrogenase and, in some instance, beta-2-microglobulin serum level determination) are the basis of the surveillance. Radiological and specific tests will be done according to the initial organ involvement. The frequency of the surveillance mainly depends on the histological subtype. Late chemotherapy-related complications include second cancer (solid tumor, myelodysplastic syndrome and acute leukemia), cardiac and endocrine toxicity. Detection of these events also requires close clinical and biological monitoring.