Treatment for childhood Hodgkin lymphoma causes side effects and late effects.

To learn more about side effects that begin during treatment for cancer, visit Side Effects.

Side effects from cancer treatment that begin after treatment and continue for months or years are called late effects. Because late effects affect health and development, regular follow-up exams are important.

Late effects of cancer treatment may include:

For female survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma, there is an increased risk of breast cancer. This risk depends on the amount of radiation the breast received during treatment and the chemotherapy regimen used. The risk of breast cancer is decreased if radiation to the ovaries was also given.

Doctors may recommend that female survivors who received radiation therapy to the breast have a mammogram and MRI once a year starting 8 years after treatment or at age 25 years, whichever is later. They may also suggest that female survivors do a breast self-exam every month beginning at puberty and have a breast exam done by a health professional every year beginning at puberty until age 25 years. The breast exams done by a health professional will increase to every 6 months at age 25 years.

For male survivors who received radiation therapy to the chest, there may be a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Limiting radiation therapy to the chest is suggested if possible.

Dexrazoxane is a drug that can reduce the risk of long-term heart damage in Hodgkin lymphoma survivors. The drug is usually taken alongside chemotherapy and other treatments.

Some late effects may be treated or controlled. It is important to talk with your child's doctors about the possible late effects caused by some treatments. Learn more about Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Cancer.