Long-term toxicity of the treatment of Hodgkin's disease

At the present time, the majority of patients who develop Hodgkin's disease can be cured with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. A long follow up of cured patients has shown that the cumulative toxicity from treatment related complications rivals the mortality from Hodgkin's disease. In addition to late fatal complications, delayed adverse effects of therapy on the thyroid, reproductive system, and bones are burdens many patients have to bear. Future treatment regimens for Hodgkin's disease will be designed attempting to minimize these complications. Follow up of those patients now in remission should focus on the prevention of morbidity and mortality by anticipating and preventing late complications.