Hodgkin lymphoma survivors face twice the risk of death compared to average American adult

UT MD Anderson Research News August 18, 2026

• Adults who survive Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) for at least five years face increased risk of death from non-cancer conditions and cardiovascular disease

• Study reveals need for lifelong survivorship care for patients with HL 

Adults who have survived Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) for at least five years face significantly elevated long-term health risks, according to a new study led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

The retrospective population-based study, published today in JAMA Network Open, was led by Bryan Valcarcel, M.D., instructor, and Luis Malpica Castillo, M.D., associate professor, both of Lymphoma & Myeloma. 

The researchers analyzed data from 2000 to 2017, including more than 20,000 adult HL survivors with an average age of 36. They discovered 2,899 deaths among survivors, while just 1,481 deaths would have been expected in the general population. While the majority were related to cancer, non-cancer conditions also were increased in these patients.

“Thanks to advances in treatment, patients are living longer. However, our findings confirm comprehensive survivorship care focused on cardiovascular health, secondary cancers and other chronic conditions are important to improve long-term survival outcomes,” Malpica said. 

What are additional key findings from this study? 

In addition to the elevated risk of death in five-year survivors, researchers found the increased risk was also present in those who had survived at least 10 years. However, non-cancer causes represented the largest cumulative mortality burden in these long-term survivors, followed by other cancers, cardiovascular disease and reoccurrence of HL. Overall, the highest relative risks were seen among younger adults diagnosed between ages 20 and 39, and among several racial and ethnic minority groups. Mortality rates were lower among patients diagnosed in recent years, reflecting ongoing progress in treatment.

What long-term survivorship care does UT MD Anderson currently offer for HL patients? 

The study’s findings reinforce the need for ongoing surveillance and personalized survivorship strategies. At UT MD Anderson, patients receive care in the Lymphoma Survivorship Clinic for long-term follow-up.  

Advanced practice providers help to ensure the health of HL survivors by routinely monitoring for disease recurrence, screening for secondary cancers, monitoring and managing the effects of treatment, offering psychosocial support services, and collaborating with primary care providers to manage patients’ health conditions. Patients also have access to a variety of additional services, such as cardiopulmonary monitoring, a bone health clinic, integrative medicine, wellness counseling, pain management and vaccine clinics, to provide the care they need.

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This research was supported by the American Society of Hematology – Amos Institute for Medical Faculty Development Award, Birdies Fore Logan, and the Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Leadership Award. A full list of collaborating authors and their disclosures can be found with the full paper in JAMA Network Open.