Dyslipidemia

Dyslipidemia occurs in people who have survived childhood cancer and undergone TBI. This treatment can affect metabolism and the functioning of organs such as the liver and thyroid gland, contributing to abnormalities in fat metabolism. Early detection and a healthy lifestyle are important.

What is dyslipidemia?

Fats are found throughout the body, including in the blood vessels. An excessively high level of fats in the blood is called dyslipidemia. There are two types of dyslipidemia:

Hypercholesterolemia (high LDL cholesterol)
Hypertriglyceridemia (high triglyceride levels)

Dyslipidemia increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Excess fat in the liver can lead to fatty liver disease. Most people who had cancer during childhood do not develop dyslipidemia. You can take steps to reduce your risk of dyslipidemia, such as being (more) physically active and eating a healthy diet with as little cholesterol and fat as possible.

Do I have an increased risk of dyslipidemia?

Anyone, including people who have never had cancer, can develop dyslipidemia. However, some cancer treatments can increase the risk.

The following treatment can increase the risk of dyslipidemia:

Total body irradiation (TBI)

You can check your treatment summary to see whether you received this treatment. If you do not have a summary, you can contact the LATER clinic or the hospital where you were treated. Dyslipidemia does not always have to be caused by cancer treatment. Other causes include overweight and obesity, impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes, and ageing. You are also at increased risk if dyslipidemia occurs frequently in your family.

What are the symptoms and signs of dyslipidemia?

Dyslipidemia usually causes no symptoms. However, it is important to detect and treat it in time to reduce the risk of stroke and heart problems. Your general practitioner or LATER doctor can take a blood sample to test the lipid levels in your blood.

Excess lipids in the liver can lead to fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease usually causes no symptoms. Read more about liver problems.
In some cases, high cholesterol can cause xanthomas, which are yellowish fat deposits in the skin of the eyelids.

I have an increased risk of dyslipidemia. What tests are needed and when?

If you have an increased risk of dyslipidemia, it is recommended to:

Have blood tests at least every 5 years to measure lipid levels, starting no later than the age of 40. It is important that the blood sample is taken in the morning before breakfast.

What happens if I have dyslipidemia?

If you have dyslipidemia, your general practitioner or LATER doctor will probably refer you to a specialist. Depending on the cause of the dyslipidemia, this may be a:

Endocrinologist (doctor specialized in hormones and metabolism)
Dietitian or nutrition specialist

The specialist will discuss the (treatment) options with you, such as improving your diet and lifestyle. The doctor may also prescribe medication to lower your blood lipid levels. If necessary, your doctor may advise regular monitoring of your weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar.

What else can I do?

Living with (an increased risk of) dyslipidemia can be difficult. Talking with friends and family can help. Contact with others in a similar situation may also be helpful, for example through a patient organization such as VOX, part of the Dutch Childhood Cancer Society.

Take good care of yourself. With a healthy lifestyle, you can keep your lipid levels healthy or lower them. Also take care of your mental health. Small changes can already have a positive effect on your physical and mental well-being. It is important to know that you have an increased risk of dyslipidemia and to recognize the signs and signals. If you have questions or concerns after reading this information, contact your general practitioner or LATER doctor.

Where can I find more information?

On this LATER website you can also find information about the following topics, which may also be relevant to you:

Stroke
Healthy lifestyle
Heart problems
High blood pressure
Liver problems
Mental health
Overweight and obesity
Impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes

The PanCare Plain Language Summaries provide links to reliable information in English. You can search online for information about dyslipidemia, but be aware that it may not always be up to date or accurate.

Disclaimer

This information is based on the plain language summary of the guideline, prepared by the PanCare Plain Information Group, and has been adapted where necessary to the Dutch LATER guideline. Do not rely solely on this information for symptoms or signs; consult your GP, LATER physician, or specialist.