Influence of new late effects on quality of life over time in Hodgkin lymphoma Survivors: a longitudinal survey study.

BACKGROUND: Long-term Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors are known to have diminished quality of life (QoL). However, limited data are available on temporal changes in QoL and factors associated with the changes. METHODS: In 2010, we conducted a follow-up questionnaire study on 273 HL survivors who participated in a 2003 questionnaire study on late effects after HL. The questionnaire items were limited to new late complications and reassessment of QoL and fatigue level, using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue instruments, respectively. We compared the results from the 2003 and the 2010 questionnaires, and QoL score changes between survivors with and without new late complications during the 7-year period. RESULTS: There was a significant decline in the SF-36 Physical Component Summary score (median change, -1.8; P<0.0001) over the time period. The decline was significantly greater among survivors with a new cardiac (P=0.005) or pulmonary (P<0.0001) complication, compared with those without any new complications. The survivors reporting new cardiac complications also experienced significantly greater worsening of fatigue scores (P=0.004). CONCLUSION: The significant association between the development of new cardiopulmonary complications and decline in QoL and energy level of HL survivors provides further support for current efforts to reduce treatment to limit late effects.

Salvage radiotherapy in patients with recurrent or refractory primary or secondary central nervous system lymphoma after methotrexate-based chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: To assess the efficacy of salvage radiation therapy (RT) in patients with recurrent/refractory primary or secondary central nervous system lymphoma (CNSL) after initial methotrexate (MTX)-based chemotherapy and to identify factors associated with treatment outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 36 patients with primary or secondary CNSL who relapsed after MTX therapy and received salvage RT. Primary end points were radiographic response and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: After salvage RT, 18 patients (50%) achieved a complete radiographic response and 6 (17%) achieved a partial response, for an overall response rate of 67% [95% confidence interval (CI) 49% to 81%]. The median OS from start of salvage RT was 11.7 months (range: 0.6-94.7). Patients treated with less than five cycles of MTX before failure had a significantly shorter OS than patients who received five or more cycles (9.2 months versus not reached, P = 0.04). Patients with CNSL limited to brain only had a significantly longer OS than patients with disease in the brain and other central nervous system locations (16.5 versus 4.5 months, P=0.01). CONCLUSION: Salvage RT is effective for patients with recurrent/refractory primary or secondary CNSL after initial MTX therapy. Having received five or more cycles of MTX before failure and CNSL limited to the brain at relapse are associated with longer OS.