Children and adolescents may have treatment-related side effects that appear months or years after treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma. Because of these late effects on health and development, regular follow-up exams are important. Late effects may include problems with the following:

• Development of sex organs in males.
• Fertility (ability to have children).
• Thyroid, heart, or lungs.
• An increased risk of developing a second primary cancer.
• Bone growth and development.

The risk of these long-term side effects will be considered when treatment decisions are made. (See the PDQ summary on Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Cancer for more information.)

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