Zeitschrift für Tumorforschung
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Abstrakt

Potential Late Effects in survivors of childhood cancers.

Mahdi Shahriari

The 5-year survival rate for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer has increased from less than 60% in the mid- 1970s to greater than 80% today. Ongoing survivor care is important because of the risks associated with potential late effects. At least 2 out of 3 childhood cancer survivors will experience at least one adverse late effect of earlier cancer treatment; and in 25-45% of long-term survivors, these effects will be severe or even life threatening. Lifelong follow-up care is recommended for all childhood cancer survivors, especially because many of the late effects may be preventable or modifiable. Although most children with childhood cancer will be treated by a center that specializes in childhood cancers, many will not continue follow-up care with those cancer centers as they reach adulthood. Therefore, it is important for primary care physicians, pediatricians and internists to have an understanding of potential late effects caused by childhood cancer therapy. Potential late effects of treatment on neuroendocrine, neurocognitive, reproduction and cardiac late effects in survivors of the childhood cancer patients. Childhood cancer therapy is directed not only at improving survival, but now we’re very focused on reducing late effects.