Chronic and Late Effects of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Its Treatment in Long Term Survivors
Chronic and Late Effects of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Its Treatment in Long Term Survivors
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been studied in the Pediatric Branch for at least 20 years, during
 which time a number of different treatment protocols have been used. Approximately 110
 patients have apparently been cured of their lymphoma. The present protocol has no
 therapeutic component, but is designed to document the late effects that may have been
 encountered by our patients, either as a consequence of the disease or its treatment. In
 essence, patients who consent to participate will be asked a series of questions pertaining
 to the quality of their life and possible medical problems that they may be encountering. In
 addition, they will receive a complete physical examination and undergo non-invasive
 investigations designed to identify the presence of unsuspected late effects. Investigators
 in the Eye Clinic, Dental Clinic, Audiology, Cardiology and Endocrinology departments will
 participate in the protocol. As a part of the study, blood samples will be obtained to
 investigate the possibility that predisposing genetic factors may be identifiable in the
 patients normal cells (e.g., p53 mutations, evidence of DNA instability). If such
 abnormalities are detected, blood samples from family members will also be examined to
 determine whether the defect was inherited.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been studied in the Pediatric Branch for at least 20 years, during
 which time a number of different treatment protocols have been used. Approximately 110
 patients have apparently been cured of their lymphoma. The present protocol has no
 therapeutic component, but is designed to document the late effects that may have been
 encountered by our patients, either as a consequence of the disease or its treatment. In
 essence, patients who consent to participate will be asked a series of questions pertaining
 to the quality of their life and possible medical problems that they may be encountering. In
 addition, they will receive a complete physical examination and undergo non-invasive
 investigations designed to identify the presence of unsuspected late effects. Investigators
 in the Eye Clinic, Dental Clinic, Audiology, Cardiology and Endocrinology departments will
 participate in the protocol. As a part of the study, blood samples will be obtained to
 investigate the possibility that predisposing genetic factors may be identifiable in the
 patients normal cells (e.g., p53 mutations, evidence of DNA instability). If such
 abnormalities are detected, blood samples from family members will also be examined to
 determine whether the defect was inherited.
Patients with a histologic diagnosis of small noncleaved cell (undifferentiated) (SNCL),
 lymphoblastic (LL), and large cell lymphoma (LCL) who were treated according to National
 Cancer Institute Pediatric Branch non-Hodgkin's lymphoma protocols 74-0, 75-6, 76-5, 77-04,
 85-C-67, and 89-C-41A, and who have been in continuous remission for one year or longer
 following completion of treatment.

 Patients who have relapsed and been successfully re-treated are not excluded, except for
 patients with lymphoblastic lymphoma who have been re-treated according to acute
 lymphoblastic leukemia protocols.