Adults who have survived Hodgkin lymphoma for at least five years face significantly elevated long-term mortality risks, according to a new study conducted by researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas. The retrospective population-based study was published in JAMA Network Open and was led by Bryan Valcarcel, instructor, and Luis Malpica Castillo, associate professor, both from the Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma.
The researchers analysed data from 2000 to 2017, including more than 20,000 adult Hodgkin lymphoma survivors with an average age of 36 years. They found 2,899 deaths among survivors, whereas only 1,481 deaths would have been expected in the general population. Although the majority were cancer-related, non-cancerous conditions also increased in these patients.
"Thanks to advances in treatment, patients are living longer. However, our findings confirm that comprehensive survivor care focused on cardiovascular health, secondary cancers and other chronic diseases is important for improving long-term outcomes," said Malpica Castillo.
Beyond the elevated mortality risk among five-year survivors, the researchers found that the increased risk was also present in those who had survived at least 10 years. However, causes unrelated to cancer represented the greatest burden of cumulative mortality in these long-term survivors, followed by other cancers, cardiovascular disease and Hodgkin lymphoma recurrence.
Overall, the highest relative risks were observed among younger adults diagnosed between ages 20 and 39 and among several racial and ethnic minority groups. Mortality rates were lower among patients diagnosed in recent years, reflecting continued progress in treatment.
