Long term side effects of radiotherapy
Most people don't have serious long term effects from radiotherapy. But because Hodgkin lymphoma treatment is so successful and people are living a long time after treatment, doctors are beginning to see problems emerging many years later.
Doctors and researchers are developing and changing treatments to reduce the risk of side effects while giving the best chance of curing Hodgkin lymphoma. So the risk of long term side effects is going down.
Skin changes
The most common long term side effect is a change to the skin where you have had radiotherapy treatment. The skin may look permanently sunburnt or develop a network of tiny blood vessels near the surface. It may always be more sensitive to the sun than it was before your treatment.
Risk of a second cancer
People treated for Hodgkin lymphoma with radiotherapy have an increased risk of developing another cancer later in life.
The highest risk is developing breast cancer, caused by radiotherapy to the chest. Doctors usually only treat the centre of the chest these days, rather than a large T shape across the chest and shoulders, as they used to do. For men and women who had chest radiotherapy, there is also a smaller risk of:
- thyroid cancer
- lung cancer
- cancer of the food pipe (oesophagus)
The total radiation dose used in chest radiotherapy is lower. So the risk of a second cancer is lower than it used to be. For some people it may not be necessary to have radiotherapy after the chemotherapy.
Children with Hodgkin lymphoma
Children treated with radiotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma also have an increased risk of developing another cancer later in life. Researchers and doctors are currently doing research trials to see which children need radiotherapy after chemotherapy and which children don't need it.
Breast screening
Some women who have had radiotherapy to the chest for Hodgkin lymphoma before the age of 30 will have earlier and more frequent breast screening. This is the group with the largest cancer risk.
These women might have yearly breast screening from 8 years after treatment, or from the age of 30 (whichever is later). This involves an MRI scan or a mammogram or both, depending on the age of the woman and their situation.
It is possible for men treated with radiotherapy to the chest to get breast cancer, but it is much rarer.
Heart problems
Radiotherapy to the chest for Hodgkin lymphoma can increase the risk of heart disease in later life. Doctors use reduced treatment fields and doses as much as possible to reduce any effects on the heart. But it is important to be aware of this side effect, particularly if there is heart disease in your family.
You can help to reduce your risk by having a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and not smoking.
Changes in the way your thyroid gland works
After radiotherapy to the neck for Hodgkin lymphoma, some people can develop a condition of the thyroid gland called hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland stops producing enough thyroid hormones and you might need to take thyroid hormone (thyroxine) tablets.
Infertility after radiotherapy to the pelvis
If you have radiotherapy to your groin or pelvis you may become infertile.
It can be extremely distressing to find that the treatment you need means you will not be able to have children. It can seem very unfair to have to cope with this as well as with your cancer.
Even for people who had not yet thought about having children, losing fertility can be very difficult to come to terms with. It can affect the way you feel about yourself. It will take time to come to terms with this change in your life. It is important to give yourself time to adjust and feel sad. Talking to someone close can help.
You may want to talk to someone other than your partner, family or friends. Some people find it helpful to talk to a therapist or counsellor.
Inflammation of the lungs (pneumonitis)
Radiotherapy to the chest can cause inflammation of the lungs called radiation pneumonitis. The inflammation can cause a long term cough, and sometimes breathlessness.
