Diagnosis of secondary malignancies after successful primary treatment of malignant Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) could be difficult

07-20-2006

"Malignant HL has become a curable disease through the increasing intensity of the treatment strategies applied. These regimens are aggressive, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy leading to the possibility of secondary malignancies," scientists in Germany reported.

"The German Hodgkin Lymphoma Study Group considered 3 cohorts including 5,411 patients with all stages of HL," stated P. Borchmann and colleagues, University of Cologne. "In 127 patients a secondary solid tumor was diagnosed (cumulative risk 2%, median follow-up 72 months), with bronchial carcinomas (23.6%) and colorectal adenocarcinomas (20.5%) being the most frequent neoplasms. Secondary acute myeloid leukemia was found in 36 patients, another 10 developed myeloid dysplasia (cumulative risk 1%, median follow-up 55 months).

"A total of 52 patients revealed a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL; cumulative risk .9%, median follow-up 46 months). The overall incidence of secondary malignancies was 3.9% in patients who had been treated successfully for their HL with radio- and/or chemotherapy."

The researchers concluded, "A secondary NHL can be particularly difficult to be distinguished from the preceding HL. Therefore, in case of a suspected relapse, a complete histopathological work-up must be performed."

Borchmann and colleagues published their study in Pathologe (Secondary malignancies after successful primary treatment of malignant Hodgkin's lymphoma. Pathologe, 2006;27(1):47-52).

For additional information, contact J. Thiele, University of Cologne, Institute Pathology, Joseph Stelzmann Str 9, D-50924 Cologne, Germany.

This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.