Quality of life in people with Hodgkin's disease

The diagnosis and treatment of Hodgkin's disease are not without cost in terms of both short- and long-term sequelae that have an impact on quality of life. This paper reviews quality of life in Hodgkin's disease both during and after treatment, with a focus on medical, psychosocial, and psychological functioning. In general, patients with Hodgkin's disease emerge from successful treatment significantly affected. Often, the impact of the disease and its treatment has both positive and negative aspects. Positive effects include increased appreciation for life, enhanced self-esteem and sense of personal direction, and closer family ties. Negative effects include risk of second malignancy, infertility, difficulty with intimacy and sexuality, employment discrimination, insurance discrimination, increased general distress, and fear of recurrence. The many and diverse needs of Hodgkin's disease survivors merit increased attention from the health-care delivery system.