Treatment-related morbidity in patients with lymphoma.

The evolution of effective therapies for lymphoma has led to cures for many patients. In addition to the acute morbidity associated with cytotoxic therapy, significant delayed treatment-related effects have been identified. Complications include immunologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, thyroid, and gonadal dysfunction as well as the development of second neoplasms. These complications results from tissue injury caused by the administration of radiation or chemotherapy, persistent immunologic deficits related to the underlying malignancy or its therapy, and complications of surgical staging and splenectomy. Disease or treatment-related immunosuppression and the mutagenic effects of therapy appear to predispose these patients to an increased risk of second cancers. This article reviews data from the recently published literature on these issues.