Early evidence of pulmonary dysfunction in survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma

Survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) are at risk for pulmonary late effects, but whether survivors also experience pulmonary dysfunction early off therapy is not well understood. We determined the incidence of pulmonary dysfunction in children/adolescents with HL at entry into survivorship, as well as risk factors related to this outcome. Survivors in clinical remission and with a pulmonary function test (PFT) obtained 2–6 years off therapy were included. Seventy-five of 118 subjects met eligibility criteria (mean age at diagnosis: 13 years, mean time off therapy: 40 months). Survivors of HL had a higher than expected incidence of pulmonary dysfunction at entry into survivorship (40/75 [53%] had an abnormal DLCO and/or a restrictive or obstructive impairment). Evidence for diffusion impairment was associated with female sex (odds ratio [OR] = 3.19, p =.04). Longitudinal follow-up studies are needed to determine if early evidence of pulmonary dysfunction predicts risk for later onset pulmonary outcomes.