Cancer HorizonsAll NewsBlogsCaregivingDiet and ExerciseFinancialPsychosocialRecipesSexual HealthSide EffectSponsoredSurvivorship
All VideosCURE ConnectionsCURE Expert Connections®CURE Speaking OutCURE TVEducated Patient Sound BitesOn Demand: Webinars
Conference Coverage Conference Listing
CURE AdventuresCURE AwardsEducated Patient In Person EducationEducated Patient Virtual Education
Advocacy GroupsArt GalleryClinical Trial CornerHeal®PartnersPodcastsPublicationsShare Your Story
Subscribe
Blood CancersBlood CancersBlood CancersBlood Cancers
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast Cancer
Childhood Cancers
Gastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal Cancers
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancerGynecologic CancerGynecologic Cancer
Head & Neck Cancer
LeukemiaLeukemiaLeukemia
Lung Cancer
LymphomaLymphomaLymphomaLymphoma
Rare CancersRare Cancers
Sarcoma
Skin Cancer/Melanoma
Thyroid Cancer
Spotlight -
  • Blogs
  • Breast Cancer Webinar Series
  • Cancer Horizons
  • Clinical Trial Corner
  • Heal®
  • Publications
  • Videos
Blood CancersBlood CancersBlood CancersBlood Cancers
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast Cancer
Childhood Cancers
Gastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal Cancers
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancerGynecologic CancerGynecologic Cancer
Head & Neck Cancer
LeukemiaLeukemiaLeukemia
Lung Cancer
LymphomaLymphomaLymphomaLymphoma
Rare CancersRare Cancers
Sarcoma
Skin Cancer/Melanoma
Thyroid Cancer
    • Subscribe
Advertisement

Publication

Article

March 15, 2016

CURE

Hematology Special Issue
Volume1
Issue 1

Survivors of Young-Adult Hodgkin Lymphoma Not Getting All Recommended Checkups

Author(s):

Kelly Johnson

Only 30 percent of survivors at high risk for cardiac damage adhered to long-term recommendations including an echocardiogram, electrocardiogram or multigated acquisition scan.

Despite national evidence and consensus-based guidelines on post-treatment care, less than half of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) who have survived Hodgkin lymphoma receive all of the recommended services within the first year after treatment, according to results of a pilot study presented at the 2016 Cancer Survivorship Symposium.

In addition, only 30 percent of survivors at high risk for cardiac damage adhered to long-term recommendations including an echocardiogram, electrocardiogram or multigated acquisition (MUGA) scan.

“When we examine adherence to guidelines like these, it’s actually an important part of high-quality care to see if we can identify gaps and hopefully close them,” lead author Erin E. Hahn, a research scientist at Kaiser Permanente Southern California's Department of Research and Evaluation, said during a press cast held in advance of the symposium.

Hodgkin lymphoma accounts for 12 percent of all new cancer diagnoses among AYAs, and while the overall survival rate is very high, those in this population remain at high risk for shortand long-term effects related to their treatment throughout survivorship.

The study evaluated electronic medical records of 354 AYA patients aged 15 to 39 who were diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma between 2000 and 2010. The patients were diagnosed, treated and followed for at least two years at the Kaiser Permanente Southern California integrated health care system.

Using National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, the investigators measured adherence to shortterm recommendations, including oncology visits, labs, imaging and the flu vaccine, which was categorized as preventive care.

Nearly all of the patients (96 percent) had annual visits with their oncologists within the first five years after treatment, and 70 percent received the recommended labs. Two-thirds received a recommended CT scan within the first year after treatment.

However, only 20 percent of patients received the recommended flu vaccine, bringing overall adherence to 48 percent within the first 12 months.

“I was happy to see that most patients were seeing their oncologists and having some appropriate testing in the first five years after treatment,” Hahn said in a statement. “I think there is work to be done to increase awareness of other guideline recommendations, and potentially access to services.”

The study also examined a subgroup of patients who were at least 10 years out of treatment and had received high-dose anthracycline-based chemotherapy plus radiation. NCCN guidelines recommend that this population of high-risk patients receive cardiac screening.

The majority of AYA patients in this population received annual blood pressure testing, but less than half received one of the other recommended modalities — an echocardiogram, electrocardiogram or MUGA scan. Researchers noted that AYA patients who were diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma between 2006 and 2010 were more likely to adhere to post-treatment recommendations than those diagnosed between 2000 and 2005.

“One of our hypotheses was that, as these guidelines became more familiar to clinicians and hopefully also to our patients, it might actually change the patterns of care that we see,” Hahn said, “and that did turn out to be true.”

The study authors plan to expand their research to include a larger cohort of patients and investigate long-term recommended services. Hahn noted that next steps involve designing and implementing systematic programs to address gaps in recommended care for the AYA patient population.

Presscast moderator and ASCO expert Merry-Jennifer Markham added that Hahn’s study highlights a need for further interventions.

“The survivorship care is really crucial in the adolescent and young adult population of Hodgkin lymphoma survivors because many of them — most of them, in fact — have long lives ahead of them,” she said.

“Clearly, we have some opportunities ahead of us to improve adherence to post-treatment guidelines and hopefully, as a result, survivorship outcomes for all.”

Articles in this issue

Plotting a New Course in Multiple Myeloma
Recognizing Side Effects in Novel Treatments for CLL Can Be Crucial
Some Pediatric Regimens Can Be Successful in Adults With ALL
Patient-Reported Outcomes and Quality-of-Life Measures in Myeloid Disease Can Help Inform Treatment Decisions
A New Lease on Life: Treatments Are Extending Life Expectancies for Patients With Multiple Myeloma
Survivors of Young-Adult Hodgkin Lymphoma Not Getting All Recommended Checkups
Medical Illustration: Multiple Myeloma
When Less Is More: Paring Down Treatment for Hodgkin Lymphoma May Reduce the Risk of Long-Term Side Effects
Keeping Advocacy at the Forefront

Newsletter

Stay up to date on cancer updates, research and education

Subscribe Now!
Related Videos
The inMIND trial led to the FDA approval of Monjuvi with Revlimid and Rituxan for relapsed follicular lymphoma, showing benefits across diverse patients.
Clinical Trial Evaluating Monjuvi in Lymphoma Gives Lasting Responses
Mark Daniels, an 83-year-old veteran and former fighter pilot, was shocked by his lymphoma diagnosis because he maintained exceptional physical fitness.
Daniel Jernazian, who beat cancer twice, credits his sports mindset for survival and calls it winning his ‘life World Championship’.
Image of two doctors and text.
Image of Dr. Evens.
Image of carly.
Image of kelly.
Image of doctor.
Image of Dr. Kelly
Related Content
Advertisement
John Smelcer was diagnosed with stage 2, B-cell, non-specific, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in the fall of 2022. Catch up on all of John's blogs here!
July 16th 2025

The Magnificent Healing Power of Poetry for Those With Cancer

John Smelcer, PhD, CAGS
Writing poems following my lymphoma diagnosis gave me hope and purpose as I endured chemo, helping me heal and share my experience with others.
CURE Cancer Horizons podcast logo
January 29th 2024

Prostate Cancer Headlines, CAR-T Warnings and Laughter Therapy

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
CURE® editors discuss last week’s biggest cancer headlines, from Dexter Scott King’s death to the potential of laughter therapy to boost quality of life.
Dr. Lorenzo Cohen and Alison Jefferies discuss small yet meaningful changes that patients can make to their home environment to foster a sense of wellness: © stock.adobe.com.
July 13th 2025

Meaningful Changes to Reduce Environmental Toxicities

Ryan Scott
Dr. Lorenzo Cohen and Alison Jefferies discuss small yet meaningful changes that patients can make to their home environment to foster a sense of wellness.
Top Headlines on CAR-T Cell Therapy
December 4th 2023

Top Headlines on CAR-T Cell Therapy

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
From FDA concerns to a potential new drug, CAR-T cell therapies were dominating oncology headlines last week.
Kim Johnson was a caregiver for her sister while she battled stage 4 Hodgkin Lymphoma for nearly five years, from diagnosis through an autologous transplant. Catch up on all of Kim's blogs here!
July 10th 2025

Saying Goodbye to My Sister With Hodgkin Lymphoma

Kim Johnson
After nearly 11 years of living with Hodgkin lymphoma, my sister Kathleen passed away peacefully at 39, leaving me to navigate the sorrow of losing her.
Daniel Jernazian, a two-time cancer survivor, shares what shaped his journey through illness and recovery.
July 9th 2025

A Survivor and Patient Advocate Reflects on Beating Cancer Twice

Spencer Feldman
Daniel Jernazian, a two-time cancer survivor, shares how sports, advocacy and meeting his idol shaped his journey through illness and recovery.
Related Content
Advertisement
John Smelcer was diagnosed with stage 2, B-cell, non-specific, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in the fall of 2022. Catch up on all of John's blogs here!
July 16th 2025

The Magnificent Healing Power of Poetry for Those With Cancer

John Smelcer, PhD, CAGS
Writing poems following my lymphoma diagnosis gave me hope and purpose as I endured chemo, helping me heal and share my experience with others.
CURE Cancer Horizons podcast logo
January 29th 2024

Prostate Cancer Headlines, CAR-T Warnings and Laughter Therapy

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
CURE® editors discuss last week’s biggest cancer headlines, from Dexter Scott King’s death to the potential of laughter therapy to boost quality of life.
Dr. Lorenzo Cohen and Alison Jefferies discuss small yet meaningful changes that patients can make to their home environment to foster a sense of wellness: © stock.adobe.com.
July 13th 2025

Meaningful Changes to Reduce Environmental Toxicities

Ryan Scott
Dr. Lorenzo Cohen and Alison Jefferies discuss small yet meaningful changes that patients can make to their home environment to foster a sense of wellness.
Top Headlines on CAR-T Cell Therapy
December 4th 2023

Top Headlines on CAR-T Cell Therapy

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
From FDA concerns to a potential new drug, CAR-T cell therapies were dominating oncology headlines last week.
Kim Johnson was a caregiver for her sister while she battled stage 4 Hodgkin Lymphoma for nearly five years, from diagnosis through an autologous transplant. Catch up on all of Kim's blogs here!
July 10th 2025

Saying Goodbye to My Sister With Hodgkin Lymphoma

Kim Johnson
After nearly 11 years of living with Hodgkin lymphoma, my sister Kathleen passed away peacefully at 39, leaving me to navigate the sorrow of losing her.
Daniel Jernazian, a two-time cancer survivor, shares what shaped his journey through illness and recovery.
July 9th 2025

A Survivor and Patient Advocate Reflects on Beating Cancer Twice

Spencer Feldman
Daniel Jernazian, a two-time cancer survivor, shares how sports, advocacy and meeting his idol shaped his journey through illness and recovery.
About Us
Advertise / Support
Editorial Board
Contact Us
CancerNetwork.com
TargetedOnc.com
OncLive.com
OncNursingNews.com
Terms & Conditions
Privacy
Do Not Sell My Information
Contact Info

2 Commerce Drive
Cranbury, NJ 08512

609-716-7777

© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.