Colorectal Neoplasia Risk Up for Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors

(HealthDay News) — Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors have an increased risk for advanced colorectal neoplasia, including advanced adenomas, advanced serrated lesions, and serrated polyposis syndrome, according to a study published in the March 15 issue of Cancer.

Lisanne S. Rigter, Ph.D., from the Netherlands Cancer Institute in Amsterdam, and colleagues conducted a multicenter cohort study to examine the diagnostic yield of advanced colorectal neoplasia detected by a first surveillance colonoscopy among HL survivors treated with abdominal radiotherapy and/or procarbazine. The results were compared to those for a Dutch general population cohort of 1,426 asymptomatic individuals aged 50 to 75 years who underwent a primary screening colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy was performed in 101 HL survivors, who were significantly younger than the general population controls (median, 51 versus 60 years). The researchers found that the prevalence of advanced neoplasia was higher in HL survivors than controls (25 versus 12 percent; P < 0.001). Advanced adenomas were detected in 14 and 9 percent of HL survivors and controls, respectively (P = 0.08). The prevalence of advanced serrated lesions was significantly higher in HL survivors versus controls (12 versus 4 percent; P < 0.001), while serrated polyposis syndrome occurred in 6 percent of survivors and no controls (P < 0.001).

“HL survivors who have been treated with abdominal radiotherapy and/or procarbazine have a high prevalence of advanced colorectal neoplasia and serrated polyposis syndrome,” the authors write. “In addition to the increased risk of CRC, the evidence provided by this interim analysis indicates that colonoscopy surveillance should be considered.”

Abstract/Full Text