Advanced Hodgkin’s disease is treated by combined chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the types of drugs used for this disease are incompatible with pregnancy and therefore termination is mandatory.

Some patients insist on waiting until the fetus has reached a viable stage before terminating the pregnancy. This is a risky strategy, as the intervening days or weeks could make the difference between successful treatment and missing the boat. The patient should be made aware of all these facts.

Fertility prospects after radiotherapy

The ovaries are usually shielded effectively against radiation and fertility after treatment is not affected usually affected. However, this is not always successful. This is why, there is ongoing effort to perfect techniques to preserve ovarian tissue from young women affected with a view of getting this implanted back in the future after successful treatment. One woman’s successful conception following such a procedure is discussed here:

Chemotherapy effect on future fertility

There might be reduced fertility following chemotherapy. Hormonal manipulation, sometimes employing the oral contraceptive pill, may help to counteract the adverse effects on the ovaries.

Combination treatment, where both radiotherapy and chemotherapy have been used, tends to have a more adverse effect on fertility.

Even among those who successfully conceive afterwards, the rates of both miscarriage and fetal anomalies are increased.

Advice regarding future pregnancy after successful treatment of Hodgkin's disease

It is considered wise to wait for at least two years before trying to conceive again. This is because if there is a recurrence in this period, it would inevitably require very aggressive treatment, which will be incompatible with pregnancy.

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