Late complications of therapy of Hodgkin's disease: prevention and management

Abstract

Patients diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease have a high cure rate. However, long-term survivors of the disease are at significantly increased risk for many late complications. The most serious late effects faced by these patients include the development of a second malignancy or cardiovascular disease. Ongoing trials investigating treatment reduction, including using lower radiation dose, smaller radiation field size, and abbreviated chemotherapy, will hopefully help in limiting the treatment-related complications. Continued long-term follow-up of survivors, careful documentation of the broad range of late effects, identification of risk factors, development and evaluation of screening programs, and preventative therapy for specific late complications are important steps in improving the survival and quality of life of patients who have been cured of Hodgkin's disease.