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Review
. 2014 Jan;14(1):61-70.
doi: 10.1038/nrc3634. Epub 2013 Dec 5.

Survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer: life-long risks and responsibilities

Leslie L Robison  1 , Melissa M Hudson  2
Affiliations
Review

Survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer: life-long risks and responsibilities

Leslie L Robison et al. Nat Rev Cancer. 2014 Jan.

Abstract

Survival rates for most paediatric cancers have improved at a remarkable pace over the past four decades. In developed countries, cure is now the probable outcome for most children and adolescents who are diagnosed with cancer: their 5-year survival rate approaches 80%. However, the vast majority of these cancer survivors will have at least one chronic health condition by 40 years of age. The burden of responsibility to understand the long-term morbidity and mortality that is associated with currently successful treatments must be borne by many, including the research and health care communities, survivor advocacy groups, and governmental and policy-making entities.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Age-specific cancer incidence rates, highlighting the small proportion represented by childhood/adolescent cancer patients (top graph). Improvements in overall survival among cancer patients diagnosed before the age of 20 years by year of cancer diagnosis (bottom graph). Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program of the National Cancer Institute.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Spectrum of health-related and quality of life outcomes among long-term survivors of childhood and adolescent cancers.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Theoretical framework regarding gaps in knowledge regarding the long-term outcomes among aging childhood and adolescent cancer survivors.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Inter-relationship of patient-, cancer-, health care system-, and provider-related issues impacting cancer treatment associated morbidity among long-term survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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