Childhood cancer survivors face accelerated aging, with studies showing they develop serious health conditions nearly 18 years earlier than the general population. Even without radiation therapy, survivors remain at higher risk for secondary cancers and cardiovascular disease, underscoring the lasting impact of chemotherapy and other treatments. While survival rates have improved and new guidelines, care tools, and therapies are helping, long-term risks persist, making lifelong follow-up and protective strategies essential.

Hodgkin International’s Rachel Gingold reflects on 36 years of survivorship.

Young adulthood is full of challenges, but when a cancer diagnosis enters the picture, things get really intense, really fast. Fresh out of undergrad at 24, my life changed overnight when the symptoms I’d been having for nearly a year turned out to be Hodgkin lymphoma – cancer.

A major new study from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study shows that AYA (Adolescent and Young Adult) cancer survivors continue to face excess health risks well into their 50s and beyond. Even decades after treatment, conditions like heart disease, frailty, and other chronic illnesses remain more common among survivors than in the general population. This is especially important for Hodgkin lymphoma survivors who were treated as teens or young adults and may not have regular follow-up care today.

For many survivors, the cancer experience changes everything. But alongside the fear and grief, it can also bring unexpected growth—stronger relationships, a clearer sense of purpose, and a deeper appreciation for life.

This article points to the need for better education for those who suffer from tricuspid valve disease. Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is not uncommon in long-term Hodgkin’s survivors, yet it is one of the late effects that we rarely hear about. There ARE treatments for TR and several trials in the works. 

Cancer survivors face a 14% higher risk of developing entirely new cancers (secondary malignancies) compared to the general population, and they account for nearly 19% of all cancer diagnoses in the U.S. Oncology Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) highlight that past treatments, especially radiation and certain chemotherapies like alkylating agents, platinum-based drugs, anthracycline topoisomerase II inhibitors, and even targeted therapies, can contribute to long-term risk.

New research from a large study in Denmark and Sweden, shows that adult survivors of childhood cancer, including those treated for Hodgkin lymphoma, may be at greater risk for severe illness from COVID-19. This increased vulnerability is likely linked to lasting effects from cancer treatments, such as weakened immune systems or damage to organs like the lungs and heart.

For people newly diagnosed with advanced-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma, choosing a first-line treatment can feel overwhelming. This article reviews the most widely used treatments, outlining how they compare in terms of both effectiveness and long-term side effects. The goal is not just remission but also protecting the quality of life for years to come.

Many long-term Hodgkin lymphoma survivors face an increased risk of developing secondary cancers, often as a result of earlier treatments like chemotherapy or radiation. These risks can emerge years or even decades after treatment, making ongoing awareness and screening a critical part of survivorship care.