We assessed cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence in 1474 survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) younger than 41 years at treatment . Multivariable Cox regression and competing risk analyses were used to quantify treatment effects on CVD risk. After a median follow-up of 18.7 years, risks of myocardial infarction (MI) and congestive heart failure (CHF) were strongly increased compared with the general population (standardized incidence ratios [SIRs] ‫؍‬ 3.6 and 4.9, respectively), resulting in 35.7 excess cases of MI and 25.6 excess cases of CHF per 10 000 patients/year. SIRs of all CVDs combined remained increased for at least 25 years and were more strongly elevated in younger patients. Mediastinal radiotherapy significantly increased the risks of MI, angina pectoris, CHF, and valvular disorders (2-to 7-fold). Anthracyclines significantly added to the elevated risks of CHF and valvular disorders from mediastinal RT (hazard ratios [HRs] were 2.81 and 2.10, respectively). The 25-year cumulative incidence of CHF after mediastinal radiotherapy and anthracyclines in competing risk analyses was 7.9%. In conclu IntroductionOver the past decades, survival of patients treated for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) has improved dramatically, as a result of the development of multiagent chemotherapy (CT), more accurate radiotherapy (RT), and enhanced possibilities to reduce treatment complications. 1 Unfortunately, the improved prognosis of HL has been accompanied by long-term toxicity, such as elevated risks of second primary malignancies, 2-9 cardiovascular disease (CVD), 2,3,[8][9][10] and infections. 2,8,9 Increased mortality of cardiac disease after mediastinal radiotherapy for HL has been reported in several studies. 2,3,[8][9][10] Dose-dependent anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity has been observed in survivors of malignancies other than HL, who were usually treated with higher anthracycline doses. 11,12 It is not known, therefore, whether anthracyclines add to the increased risk of CVD from mediastinal RT for survivors of HL. This is an important clinical question because most patients with HL now receive anthracycline-containing chemotherapy. Although a few studies reported on nonfatal cardiac events, comparisons with the general population were usually not made, because in most countries CVD incidence rates are not available. [13][14][15][16][17][18] The purpose of our study was to assess the long-term risk of various CVDs in a cohort of 1474 five-year survivors of HL treated between 1965 and 1995.Unique features of this study include long and near complete follow-up and the availability of complete treatment data, including radiation fields and chemotherapeutic agents. In addition, we compared the incidence of various CVDs with population-based reference rates from the general population, we accounted for competing risk of death from any cause, and we incorporated cardiac risk factors in the analyses. Patients and methods Data collection proceduresWe included all 5-year survivors of HL diagnosed before age 41 years (n ϭ 148...

Purpose We evaluated the effect of Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on sexual functioning and relationship intimacy (primary outcomes) and body image, menopausal symptoms, marital functioning, psychological distress, and health-related quality of life (secondary outcomes) in breast cancer survivors (BCSs) with a DSM-IV diagnosis of a sexual dysfunction. Patients and Methods We randomly assigned 169 BCSs to either Internet-based CBT or a waiting-list control group. The CBT consisted of weekly therapist-guided sessions, with a maximum duration of 24 weeks. Self-report questionnaires were completed by the intervention group at baseline (T0), midtherapy (T1), and post-therapy (T2) and at equivalent times by the control group. We used a mixed-effect modeling approach to compare the groups over time. Results Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed a significant improvement over time in overall sexual functioning (effect size for T2 [ES] = .43; P = .031), which was reflected in an increase in sexual desire (ES = .48 and ES = .72; P < .001), sexual arousal (ES = .50; P = .008), and vaginal lubrication (ES = .46; P = .013). The intervention group reported more improvement over time in sexual pleasure (ES = .32 and ES = .62; P = .001), less discomfort during sex (ES = .49 and ES = .66; P = .001), and less sexual distress (ES = .59; P = .002) compared with the control group. The intervention group reported greater improvement in body image (ES = .45; P = .009) and fewer menopausal symptoms (ES = .39; P = .007) than the control group. No significant effects were observed for orgasmic function, sexual satisfaction, intercourse frequency, relationship intimacy, marital functioning, psychological distress, or health-related quality of life. Conclusion Internet-based CBT has salutary effects on sexual functioning, body image, and menopausal symptoms in BCSs with a sexual dysfunction.

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