Long-Term Breast Cancer Risk in Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors: Evaluating Background Parenchymal Enhancement and Radiotherapy-Induced Toxicity

Abstract

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) treatment has dramatically improved, with high survival rates in early stages. However, long-term survivors face an increased risk of secondary cancers, particularly breast cancer (BC), which emerge as a leading cause of mortality decades after therapy. Background/Objectives: This study explores the risk of BC and the toxic effects of radiation therapy (RT) in long-term HL survivors compared to age-matched high-risk women, including BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. A prospective study was conducted on 62 women who had undergone chemotherapy and involved-field RT for HL, with MRI used to assess breast tissue changes. This study's primary endpoint was to analyze BC incidence in HL survivors, while secondary objectives focused on the analysis of background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) in irradiated areas. Results: The findings revealed a 5% incidence of BC in HL survivors, with 50% showing moderate or marked BPE, similar to that observed in high-risk BC controls. No significant differences in BPE distribution were found between the two groups. Conclusions: The study highlights the long-term risk of BC in HL survivors and suggests that advanced RT techniques and targeted therapies may help reduce the incidence of secondary tumors. Future research should focus on understanding the genetic and biological mechanisms behind treatment-induced cancers.

Keywords: Hodgkin; breast cancer; late toxicity; long term survivors; radiotherapy.

Figure 1

Three-dimensional maximum intensity projection (MIP) MR-enhanced images. BPE classification: (A) Type 1—Minimal. (B) Type 2—Mild. (C) Type 3—Moderate. (D) Type 4—Marked.

Figure 2

Subtracted THRIVE (A) and 3D MIP (B) contrast-enhanced MRI showing a NST breast cancer on the left side in a 44-year-old HL survivor with Type 3 BPE evaluated in the contralateral breast.