Potential for parenthood is good for adult female survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

A prospective, longitudinal study involving 590 female patients younger than 18 years at diagnosis who participated in one of five Hodgkin lymphoma treatment studies between June 19, 1978, and July 12, 1995, were the cohort in a study to assess the frequency for parenthood in female survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma. Parenthood was defined as delivery of a liveborn child.

The control group was the German female population age 16-49 years, using data from the 2012 Mikrozensus population survey.

Of the 590 patients in the cohort, 467 had long-term follow-up (median 20.4 years) and were in continuous remission. Of these patients, 228 patients had 406 children.

Cumulative incidences of parenthood were 67% at 27.7 years follow-up (longest period of follow-up at birth of first child) and 69% at age 39.8 years (oldest age of patient at birth of first child).

Parenthood was significantly lower among survivors who received pelvic radiation compared with those who received abdominal and supradiaphragmatic radiation, and parenthood in women age 40-44 years at the time of last information was lower than in women the same ages in the general population.

The results indicate a favorable prognosis for parenthood in female survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma. The researchers suggest counseling for female survivors should include this positive potential for future parenthood.