After Treatment

After treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma ends, talk with your doctor about developing a follow-up care plan. This plan may include doctor visits and medical tests to monitor your recovery for the coming months and years. Follow-up care after treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma is important to monitor for possible recurrence of the lymphoma and late effects of treatment.

The frequency of follow-up care and the tests performed depends on several factors, including the original extent of the Hodgkin lymphoma and type of treatment. Typically, all of the tests, including CT scans, PET scans, and bone marrow biopsies, are repeated after treatment ends to ensure that there has been a complete disappearance of the disease. Then, the frequency of additional screening depends on the results of the initial set of tests performed after treatment.

In general, each follow-up visit includes a discussion with the doctor, physical examination, and blood tests. At some visits, scans are done. At most cancer centers, follow-up visits are initially scheduled every two to three months during the time period with the greatest risk of recurrence, and the interval between visits increases over time. Later visits may only be two to three times per year until five years has passed; then, annual visits should be continued with an oncologist. Special attention needs to be paid to cancer screening and detection, as well as to cardiac (heart) risk factors, for the person’s lifetime. For patients who received radiation therapy to the neck or chest, monitoring thyroid function is important.

Follow-up care should also address the person’s quality of life, including emotional concerns. In particular, Hodgkin lymphoma survivors are encouraged to be aware of symptoms of depression and promptly report them to their doctor.

Patients treated for Hodgkin lymphoma should get an annual flu shot. It may be recommended that some patients get an immunization against pneumonia, which may be repeated every five to seven years.

People recovering from Hodgkin lymphoma are encouraged to follow established guidelines for good health, such as maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, eating a balanced diet, and having recommended cancer screening tests. Talk with your doctor to develop a plan that is best for your needs. Moderate physical activity can help rebuild your strength and energy level. Your doctor can help you create an appropriate exercise plan based upon your needs, physical abilities, and fitness level. Learn more about Healthy Living After Cancer.

To learn about the terms used in this section, read the Cancer.Net Feature: Cancer Terms to Know: After Treatment.