Bone mineral density, growth, and thyroid function in long-term survivors of pediatric Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with chemotherapy only.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term side effects of treatment for childhood Hodgkin's lymphoma with chemotherapy only on growth, bone mineral density (BMD), body composition, and thyroid function.


METHODS
A total of 88 patients (56 male, 32 female; 17.6-42.6 yr), treated for childhood Hodgkin's lymphoma from 1974-1998 with combination chemotherapy adriamycin (doxorubicin), bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine or epirubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine with or without mechlorethamine, oncovin (vincristine), procarbazine, and prednisone (MOPP) with the intention to avoid radiotherapy, participated in this study. Median follow-up was 15.5 yr (range 5.6-30.2). BMD of lumbar spine and total body (BMD-TB), and body composition were measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Bone mineral apparent density of the lumbar spine was calculated to correct for bone size. Free T4 and TSH were measured.


RESULTS
Men treated with MOPP had a significantly reduced height with normal body proportions. Women treated with MOPP had decreased BMD-TB and bone mineral apparent density of the lumbar spine as compared with healthy controls. Percent body fat was significantly increased in female patients treated without MOPP. Body mass index was significantly increased in male patients treated without MOPP, whereas lean body mass was normal in all patients. All patients, except one, treated with chemotherapy only had normal thyroid function. However, five patients who received additional radiation to the thyroid either had abnormal levels of TSH or free T4, or used thyroid hormones.


CONCLUSIONS
Lean body mass was normal in all patients; thyroid function was normal in all but one patient. The use of MOPP leads to decreased height and increased body mass index in men and decreased BMD-TB in women.
van Beek
Robert D
RD
Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam 3000 CB, The Netherlands.
van den Heuvel-Eibrink
Marry M
MM
Hakvoort-Cammel
Friederike G
FG
van den Bos
Cor
C
van der Pal
Heleen J H
HJ
Krenning
Eric P
EP
de Rijke
Yolande B
YB
Pieters
Rob
R
de Muinck Keizer-Schrama
Sabine M P F
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008466:Mechlorethamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011344:Procarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017741:Survivors; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D055815:Young Adult
D001761:Bleomycin; D011344:Procarbazine; D008466:Mechlorethamine; D014750:Vincristine; D014747:Vinblastine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D011241:Prednisone