Although autologous hematopoietic
cell transplantation (AHCT) is standard
therapy for patients with
lymphoma and
multiple myeloma (MM), few studies have addressed late effects and quality of life (QoL) in long-term survivors after AHCT. Using long-term follow-up (LTFU) annual questionnaires with self-reported outcomes, we surveyed 665 patients who were at ≥5 years after AHCT for the diagnosis of
lymphoma or MM. Three-hundred and eighty-nine patients completed the questionnaire (58% response rate) at a median of 11 years (range, 5-30 years) after AHCT. The median patient age was 63 years (range, 22-88 years) in the 268 patients with
lymphoma and 69 years (range, 34-84 years) in the 121 patients with
multiple myeloma. The most commonly reported medical conditions (>10% incidence) were sexual dysfunction, history of
shingles,
cataracts,
osteoporosis or
osteopenia,
joint replacement, and
skin cancer. Current medication use was more frequent in the patients with MM for
infection prevention/treatment (19% for MM versus 5%
lymphoma; P < .001),
hypertension (41% versus 26%; P = .004),
osteoporosis (23% versus 10%; P < .001), and
pain (32% versus 11%, P < .001). Treated
hypothyroidism was more common in
lymphoma patients. In multivariate analysis combining
lymphoma and MM, worse physical functioning was associated with older age, shorter interval since AHCT, comorbidities, relapse, and treatment for depression and/or
pain. Worse mental functioning was associated with younger age and treatment for anxiety, depression, or
pain. In conclusion, AHCT survivors report generally good QoL but many late effects and symptoms that are potentially amenable to intervention.