Late Effects of Treatment

Patients who have undergone treatment for lymphoma have an increased risk of developing other diseases or conditions later in life, as the toxicity of chemotherapy or radiation treatment can cause permanent damage. Treatments have improved in the last 30 years, and now patients who have been through treatment for lymphoma are less likely to experience late effects, but there is still some risk. Therefore, it is important that people stay current with their follow-up care to monitor any developments.

• People who have received radiation therapy to the pelvis, high doses of cyclophosphamide, and high-dose chemotherapy for stem cell transplantation are at risk for infertility (inability to have children).
  
  
• All survivors of lymphoma are at higher risk for up to 20 years than the general population to develop a secondary cancer. The most common secondary cancers include cancer of the lung, brain, kidney, bladder, or melanoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, or leukemia.
  
  
• Women who received radiation therapy to the chest are at increased risk for breast cancer.
  
  
• Patients who receive doxorubicin-based chemotherapy or radiation treatment to the chest may be at higher risk for developing heart problems.
  
  
• Adults who receive certain types of chemotherapy (alkylating agents and methotrexate [multiple brand names]) or radiation treatment to the chest area may be at risk for lung damage and shortness of breath later in life.
  
  
• Patients who receive radiation treatment to the neck are at increased risk for thyroid deficiency later in life.
  
  
• Patients who receive bone marrow transplantation or peripheral blood stem cell support may be at higher risk for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
  
  
• Children who receive radiation treatment and chemotherapy to the brain and spinal cord area may be at risk for growth problems, learning disabilities, and delayed puberty. Teenagers who receive chemotherapy may be at higher risk for low sperm counts (for boys) or damage to the ovaries (for girls).
  
  
• Children who receive total body irradiation (TBI) as part of the stem cell transplantation process may experience thyroid problems.