Pregnancy rate and outcome of pregnancies in long-term survivors of Hodgkin's lymphoma

Tracheobronchial adenoid cystic carcinoma in pregnancy

A case of tracheobronchial adenoid cystic carcinoma diagnosed around the time of conception and its progression during pregnancy is presented. The evidence that pregnancy may be associated with the progression of adenoid cystic cancer is discussed. It is important to consider tracheal disease before making a diagnosis of adult-onset asthma.

Long-Term Breast Cancer Risk in Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors: Evaluating Background Parenchymal Enhancement and Radiotherapy-Induced Toxicity

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) treatment has dramatically improved, with high survival rates in early stages. However, long-term survivors face an increased risk of secondary cancers, particularly breast cancer (BC), which emerge as a leading cause of mortality decades after therapy. Background/Objectives: This study explores the risk of BC and the toxic effects of radiation therapy (RT) in long-term HL survivors compared to age-matched high-risk women, including BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. A prospective study was conducted on 62 women who had undergone chemotherapy and involved-field RT for HL, with MRI used to assess breast tissue changes. This study's primary endpoint was to analyze BC incidence in HL survivors, while secondary objectives focused on the analysis of background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) in irradiated areas. Results: The findings revealed a 5% incidence of BC in HL survivors, with 50% showing moderate or marked BPE, similar to that observed in high-risk BC controls. No significant differences in BPE distribution were found between the two groups. Conclusions: The study highlights the long-term risk of BC in HL survivors and suggests that advanced RT techniques and targeted therapies may help reduce the incidence of secondary tumors. Future research should focus on understanding the genetic and biological mechanisms behind treatment-induced cancers.

Mediastinal Mass Discovered in the Second Trimester, a Rare Presentation of Hodgkin's Lymphoma in Pregnancy

Newly diagnosed malignancy during pregnancy is rare affecting approximately 1 in 1,000 pregnancies. Breast followed by hematologic malignancies are most common. Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is a lymphoid neoplasm which can present with lymphadenopathy or mediastinal mass and represents 6% of all malignancies diagnosed during pregnancy. Treatment involves a combination of chemotherapy with or without adjuvant radiation which poses significant challenges when diagnosed antepartum. We highlight a 28-year-old primigravida at 26 weeks gestation who presented to the emergency department in Japan with cough, dyspnea, and sore throat for 3-5 days. Initial chest radiography demonstrated a large perihilar mass with mediastinal shift. Follow-up CT chest revealed an anterior mediastinal mass measuring 8 cm × 19 cm × 16 cm with features concerning for aggressive lymphoma. The patient was subsequently transferred to a stateside tertiary care center for expedited workup. She underwent two core needle biopsies, both of which were non-diagnostic. Cardiothoracic surgery performed a cervical mediastinoscopy with excision of the enlarged right supraclavicular lymph node. Pathologic analysis revealed classical HL, nodular sclerosis subtype. Treatment was initiated with adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine with two cycles planned antepartum followed by additional cycles postpartum. The patient had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery at 38 weeks gestation. Diagnosis of HL in pregnancy is rare, and expedited diagnosis can be challenging as multiple diagnostic and treatment modalities may impact pregnancy. Management in pregnancy requires a multidisciplinary approach, and decisions regarding treatment and delivery timing should be weighed against risk to the fetus.

Volumetric modulated arc therapy versus intensity-modulated proton therapy in the irradiation of infra diaphragmatic Hodgkin Lymphoma in female patients

PURPOSE

To investigate the role of infra diaphragmatic intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) compared to volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for female Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) patients and to estimate the risk of secondary cancer and ovarian failure.

METHODS

A comparative treatment planning study was performed on 14 patients, and the results were compared according to conventional dose-volume metrics. In addition, estimates of the excess absolute risk (EAR) of secondary cancer induction were determined for the bowel, the bladder and the rectum. For the ovaries, the risk of ovarian failure was estimated.

RESULTS

The dosimetric findings demonstrate the equivalence between VMAT and IMPT in terms of target coverage. A statistically significant reduction of the mean and near-to-maximum doses was proven for the organs at risk. The EAR ratio estimated for IMPT to VMAT was 0.51 ± 0.32, 0.32 ± 0.35 and 0.05 ± 0.11 for the bowel, bladder and rectum, respectively. Concerning the risk of ovarian failure for the chronologic age ranging from 18 to 46 years, the expected net loss in fertility years ranged from 4.8 to 3.0 years for protons and 12.0 to 5.7 years for photons.

CONCLUSION

This in-silico study confirmed the beneficial role of IMPT from a dosimetric point of view. Mathematical models suggested that the use of protons might be further advantageous due to the expected reduction of the risk of secondary cancer induction and its milder impact on the reduction of fertility.

In male Hodgkin lymphoma patients, impaired fertility may be improved by non-gonadotoxic therapy

The outcome of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) has improved significantly in recent years, and now attention is increasingly being focused on the well-being of these young patients. This study aimed to analyse the influence of HL and its treatment on the spermatogenic status of 46 male HL patients with available spermiograms, treated between 2008 and 2016. Analysing prognostic factors at diagnosis, we found that the number of spermatozoa was reduced in stage III-IV; motility and vitality were reduced in stage III-IV and in the presence of B symptoms; and abnormal forms were increased in patients with elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and low albumin. Furthermore, we found that haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was associated with a severe impairment of fertility in terms of sperm motility. In HL-treated patients who did not undergo HSCT we found a statistically significantly improved fertility in terms of motility. In this study, we found that HSCT induced infertility in the majority of male patients with HL, but that first-line treatment could improve the impaired fertility status caused by disease. Further studies are needed in larger case series to investigate risk factors for impaired fertility at HL diagnosis and after treatment.

Male and Female Fertility: Prevention and Monitoring Hodgkin' Lymphoma and Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Adult Survivors. A Systematic Review by the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi

BACKGROUND

Adult patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) have prolonged survival but face the risk of treatment-induced impaired fertility. This systematic review, conducted by Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL) researchers, aims to evaluate the incidence of treatment-related infertility, fertility preservation options, fertility assessment measures, and the optimal interval between the end of treatment and conception.

METHODS

MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE were systematically searched up to September 2020 for published cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies on fertility issues.

RESULTS

Forty-five eligible studies were identified. Gonadotoxicity was related to sex, type and dosage of treatment, and, in females, to age. After receiving alkylating-agent-containing regimens, less than 30% of males recovered spermatogenesis, and 45% of females ≥30 years in age retained regular menstrual cycles. Sperm cryopreservation was offered to the majority of patients; sperm utilization resulted in a 33-61% pregnancy rate. After ovarian tissue transplantation, the spontaneous pregnancy and live birth rates were 38% and 23%; after IVF, the live birth rate was 38.4%. No data could be extracted on the utilization rate of cryopreserved mature oocytes. The results of studies on GnRH analogs are controversial; therefore, their use should not be considered an alternative to established cryopreservation techniques. Sperm count, FSH, and inhibin-B levels were appropriate measures to investigate male fertility; serum AMH levels and antral follicle count were the most appropriate markers for ovarian reserve. No data could be found regarding the optimal interval between the end of treatment and conception.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of infertility should be discussed with adult lymphoma patients at the time of diagnosis, and fertility preservation options should be proposed before first-line treatment with alkylating-agent-containing regimens.

Successful pregnancy and fetal outcome following previous treatment with pembrolizumab for relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is one of the most frequently diagnosed neoplasms in young adults and is curable even in the relapse setting. Many patients seek advice regarding pregnancy once they have a sustained complete remission (CR). PD1 inhibitors are effective in inducing CRs in relapsed cHL, but little is known about their effects on pregnancy, fetal outcomes, or risk of relapse. The PD1/PDL1 axis is vital in the maintenance of pregnancy, allowing for fetal tolerance. This axis is also a key pathway by which Hodgkin Reed Sternberg cells escape immune surveillance. Thus, exposure to PD1 inhibitors in the context of a pregnant cHL survivor could potentially lead to maternal and fetal complications as well as increase the risk of relapse. Pregnancy and fetal outcomes following PD1 inhibitors have been reported in women with melanoma, but not cHL. Such data may help physicians counsel their patients on this topic.

CASE

This case describes a 25-year-old woman who was diagnosed with advanced stage cHL that was treated with multiple courses of chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) for primary refractory disease. She experienced a relapse eight months following ASCT and was treated with the PD1 inhibitor pembrolizumab. She completed a total of 21 cycles, achieving a CR after cycle five. After 2 years of sustained CR off pembrolizumab, she had an unassisted and uneventful pregnancy. She delivered a healthy baby boy with no significant complications. He reached his normal milestones in his first year. She remains in CR four years following her last dose of pembrolizumab, evoking the possibility of her being cured of cHL.

CONCLUSION

Successful pregnancies and fetal outcomes, while maintaining clinical remissions, are possible in women with relapsed cHL treated with pembrolizumab.

Involved Site Radiotherapy Extends Time to Premature Menopause in Infra-Diaphragmatic Female Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients - An Analysis of GHSG HD14- and HD17-Patients

Introduction

Consolidation radiotherapy in intermediate stage Hodgkin´s lymphoma (HL) has been the standard of care for many years as involved field radiotherapy (IFRT) after chemotherapy. It included initially involved region(s). Based on randomized studies, radiation volumes could be reduced and involved site radiation therapy (ISRT) became the new standard. ISRT includes the initially affected lymph nodes. In young adults suffering from HL, infertility and hypogonadism are major concerns. With regard to these questions, we analyzed the influence of modern radiotherapy concepts such as consolidating ISRT in infradiaphragmatic involvement of HL after polychemotherapy.

Patients and Methods

Five hundred twelve patients treated within German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG) HD14 and HD17 trials were evaluated. We analyzed log-adjusted follicle-stimulating-hormone (FSH)- and luteinizing-hormone (LH)-levels of HD14-patients with infradiaphragmatic radiotherapy (IDRT) in comparison with HD14-patients, who had a supradiaphragmatic radiotherapy (SDRT). In a second step, we compared IFRT with ISRT of female HD17 patients regarding the effects on ovarian function and premature menopause.

Results

We analyzed FSH- and LH-levels of 258 female and 241 male patients, all treated with IFRT. Of these 499 patients, 478 patients had SDRT and 21 patients had IDRT. In a multiple regression model, we could show that log-adjusted FSH (p=0.0006) and LH values (p=0.0127) were significantly higher after IDRT than after SDRT. The effect of IDRT on gonadal function was comparable to two cycles of escalated bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (BEACOPPesc). We compared the effect of IFRT with ISRT in thirteen female HD17 patients with infradiaphragmatic (ID) involvement. The mean ovarian dose after ISRT was significantly lower than after IFRT. The calculated proportion of surviving non-growing follicles (NGFs) increased significantly from 11.87% to 24.48% in ISRT compared to IFRT, resulting in a significantly longer calculated time to menopause. The younger the age at therapy, the greater the absolute time gain until menopause.

Conclusion

Infradiaphragmatic IFRT impairs gonadal function to a similar extent as two cycles of BEACOPPesc. In comparison, the use of ISRT target volume definition significantly reduced radiation dose to the ovaries and significantly extends the time interval from treatment to premature menopause.

Unclassifiable lymphoma in pregnancy

A 28-year-old woman, 15 weeks pregnant, consulted for cervical ache and left laterocervical mass. Imaging scans revealed a large mediastinal mass that had spread to supraclavicular and left axillar spaces, including cervicobrachial plexus. Pathological anatomy confirmed an unclassifiable lymphoma, with intermediate features between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and classical Hodgkin's lymphoma. CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) therapy was started with partial response. But due to disease progression, an elective caesarean section was performed (30th week of pregnancy) to begin a chemotherapy regime incompatible with pregnancy. Despite acute complications related to prematurity, the newborn could be discharged from hospital at 45 days of life. The patient did not respond to the second treatment line and she is currently undergoing a third chemotherapy regime. Given the unusual occurrence of lymphoma during pregnancy, multidisciplinary teamwork between haematologists, neonatologists and obstetricians is essential to achieve the best maternal-fetal outcome.

Long-term Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors: A Glimpse of What Happens 10 Years After Treatment

INTRODUCTION

This retrospective study was focused on 96 patients (median age at diagnosis, 35 years) with newly diagnosed Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) treated at the University Hospital of Bari (Italy) between 2005 and 2008, to evaluate the outcome and the long-term toxicity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

First-line chemotherapy was ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine) in all patients; 49 (51%) patients had undergone radiotherapy. At the end of treatment, 75 (78%) patients were in complete remission (CR); 18 (24%) of 75 patients relapsed after first-line treatment; 20 (21%) underwent autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and 3 (3%) underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 12 years, 85 (88%) patients are alive in CR, and 11 (14%) have died (2 of a second neoplasia, 1 of infection, and 8 of the disease). The 140-month Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were 86%. Three women became pregnant and each gave birth to a healthy child. The most prevalent chronic conditions at last follow-up were: a reduction in lung transfer factor for carbon monoxide (40%), fatigue (31%), hypothyroidism (30%), and infertility (16%).

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this study offer indications about how long after the initial treatment excess deaths from causes other than HL begin to occur. However, challenges remain, namely establishing the optimal time to begin screening for potential late complications and developing better surveillance guidelines. Further work is needed to identify risk factors that may predict specific late effects.