Prospective evaluation of late effects after childhood cancer therapy with a follow-up over 9 years

Eur J Pediatr. 2000 Oct;159(10):750-8. doi: 10.1007/pl00008340.

Abstract

Intensive multimodality treatment has led to a remarkable improvement of prognosis in paediatric cancer patients, however, a great number of long-term survivors suffer from considerable tumour- or treatment-related late effects. Between January 1990 and December 1998, 223 consecutive survivors of childhood malignancies entered a prospective follow-up study designed to evaluate the frequency and severity of tumour- and/or therapy-related long-term sequelae. After cessation of therapy and subsequently once a year, all patients underwent a detailed examination programme including physical examination, laboratory tests, abdominal sonography, echocardiography, electrocardiography, electroencephalography, spirometry, audiometry, ophthalmological examination and endocrine stimulation tests. Median follow-up was 5 years (range 0.4 to 9.6 years). A total of 167 patients (75%) had at least one chronic medical problem of whom 80 needed permanent medical support. The organ systems most frequently affected were the nervous system in 39%, the endocrine system in 32%, the ears/eyes in 22%, the kidneys in 17%, and the liver in 12% of the patients. Some late effects (endocrine deficits, hearing loss, tubulopathy) were primarily diagnosed only several years after the end of oncological therapy.

Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that a considerable number of former paediatric cancer patients suffer from remarkable long-term side-effects. Since life quality is an important parameter of cancer survival, careful follow-up of long-term survivors is mandatory with the aim to reduce or even abrogate possible side-effects at the earliest time.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Austria / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Chronic Disease / epidemiology*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Neoplasms / psychology
  • Neoplasms / rehabilitation
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life / psychology*
  • Rehabilitation / methods
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative / statistics & numerical data
  • Survivors / psychology
  • Survivors / statistics & numerical data*