Survivors of Hodgkin's disease: prevention of sequelae

Increasing numbers of patients are surviving Hodgkin's disease in their youth, creating an ever larger cohort who need careful attention to long-term preventive medicine in their older years. Vigilance is especially needed for those who received laparotomy, splenectomy, and irradiation for early stage I through stage III disease, the majority of whom are destined to be long-term survivors. With the frequent migration of the young, these patients often fall under the care of a physician other than their original oncologist. The diligent internist, oncologist, emergency room physician, and general practitioner can avoid several simple pitfalls in the long-term care of these young patients now entering middle age.