[Differences of arteria carotis in patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma]

Radiotherapy increases the risk of cardiovascular morbidity. We examined arteria carotis atherosclerosis and stenosis in Hodgkin's lymphoma patients. We examined arteria carotis of 120 Hodgkin's lymphoma patients who have been in complete remission for at least 5 years. 70 patients received neck irradiation (mean age at the time of the examination was 44.6 years). Twenty-four (34.3%) of them had carotis sclerosis or stenosis, and it was significantly more than in the control group [8 out of 60 patients 13.3%)]. Twelve patients of the 50 who did not receive radiotherapy had carotis lesions, and there was no significant difference compared to the control group. Significant stenosis (>50%) was detected in only 3 patients (in the irradiated group). TIA, stroke or amaurosis fugax did not occur. Carotis stenosis does not seem to play a role in late mortality in Hodgkin's lymphoma, but if the patient has an increased risk for atherosclerotic changes, then regular examinations are necessary, and other risk factors (smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, early menopause) need to be treated.