Complications in the treatment of Hodgkin's disease.
Early Hodgkin's disease is curable with radiotherapy, while combination chemotherapy is curative for stages III and IV. The acute side-effects of treatment (haematological, infectious and neurological toxicity), as well as the late side-effects (sterility, cardiac and pulmonary damage and secondary neoplasms), are therefore of major concern. Data on 60 patients treated over a 12-year period in Bloemfontein were analysed. The acute and chronic complications encountered were in the range expected and 6 patients developed secondary neoplasms. The possible reduction of these complications is discussed. It is concluded that the oncologist should select the best treatment consistent with a good chance of a durable remission but must weigh this against not only short-term but also long-term toxicity.
Alberts
A S
AS
Department of Medical Oncology, University of Pretoria, RSA.
Goedhals
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents