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Is Flying Safe For A Hdgkin's Lymphoma Patient?
Question: We are expats in France. Our 14 year old son has stage 2B Hodgkin's lymphoma with a pericardial effusion. What are the risks of air travel to the States? He started chemo in early XXXXXXX and has a treatment schedule through the end of November.
Brief Answer:
If your son is symptomatic, better to avoid
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir/ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would be more than happy to help you. There is no such risk for travelling with Hodgkin's lymphoma, but there exists a risk of traveling with a pericardial effusion. As the cabin pressure drops it results in an oxygen drop, which could be potentially harmful for your son's condition as it can not only result in reduced oxygen concentration and damage to various tissues (including the brain), but also puts your son at a higher risk of forming a blood clot. All these conditions will have to be avoided and prevention should be sought if the air travel is absolutely necessary.
Although a pericardial effusion is not a definitive contraindication for flying, the individual is generally advised against air travel especially when the individual is symptomatic. So I would recommend a general evaluation by your son's doctor, to ensure that he is safe for travel. The doctor will also issue a doctor's certificate to help with during the travel.
If your son is symptomatic, better to avoid
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir/ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would be more than happy to help you. There is no such risk for travelling with Hodgkin's lymphoma, but there exists a risk of traveling with a pericardial effusion. As the cabin pressure drops it results in an oxygen drop, which could be potentially harmful for your son's condition as it can not only result in reduced oxygen concentration and damage to various tissues (including the brain), but also puts your son at a higher risk of forming a blood clot. All these conditions will have to be avoided and prevention should be sought if the air travel is absolutely necessary.
Although a pericardial effusion is not a definitive contraindication for flying, the individual is generally advised against air travel especially when the individual is symptomatic. So I would recommend a general evaluation by your son's doctor, to ensure that he is safe for travel. The doctor will also issue a doctor's certificate to help with during the travel.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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