Although malignant mesothelioma is relatively rare, research indicates that may be associated with radiation exposure.
Results of several recent epidemiological studies showed that radiation for lymphoma may be associated with an increased risk of malignant mesothelioma. However, these studies included only a small number of patients and the results must be confirmed in larger studies.
For this study, researchers examined the risk of malignant mesothelioma in 2567 patients who had attained at least five years of survival after treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma.
The patients included in the study had been treated with radiotherapy alone, chemotherapy alone or a combination of both.
The median follow-up was 18.1 years. At this time, 13 patients with malignant mesothelioma had at least five years after being treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma.
In five years the survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma were nearly 26 times more likely than the general population of developing malignant mesothelioma, according to the results. Those treated with radiotherapy alone about 30 times more likely to develop malignant mesothelioma.
There were no cases of the disease among 232 patients treated with chemotherapy alone, but patients treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy were almost 44 times more likely to develop malignant mesothelioma.
[Source]
Results of several recent epidemiological studies showed that radiation for lymphoma may be associated with an increased risk of malignant mesothelioma. However, these studies included only a small number of patients and the results must be confirmed in larger studies.
For this study, researchers examined the risk of malignant mesothelioma in 2567 patients who had attained at least five years of survival after treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma.
The patients included in the study had been treated with radiotherapy alone, chemotherapy alone or a combination of both.
The median follow-up was 18.1 years. At this time, 13 patients with malignant mesothelioma had at least five years after being treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma.
In five years the survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma were nearly 26 times more likely than the general population of developing malignant mesothelioma, according to the results. Those treated with radiotherapy alone about 30 times more likely to develop malignant mesothelioma.
There were no cases of the disease among 232 patients treated with chemotherapy alone, but patients treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy were almost 44 times more likely to develop malignant mesothelioma.
[Source]
