While there have been considerable improvements in survival after childhood cancer, some groups of survivors have long-term excess mortality or are at an increased risk of physical, psychological and social health problems later in life (often referred to as late effects).[1-4]
Two large and comprehensive cohort studies the North American Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) and the population-based British Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (BCCSS), have been set up to better understand these late effects; such studies are recognised as being of great value, and some of the findings of these, and others, are described below.[5,6]
- Hawkins MM. Long-term survivors of childhood cancers: what knowledge have we gained? Nat Clin Pract Oncol 2004;1:26-31.
- Wallace H, Green D, eds. Late Effects of Childhood Cancer: Arnold; 2004.
- Schwartz C, Hobbie W, Constine L, et al, eds. Survivors of Childhood and Adolescent Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Approach 2nd ed: Springer; 2005.
- Reulen RC, Winter DL, Frobisher C, et al. Long-term cause-specific mortality among survivors of childhood cancer. 2010 Jul 14;304(2):172-9.
- Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.
- Robison LL, Mertens AC, Boice JD, et al. Study design and cohort characteristics of the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study: a multi-institutional collaborative project. Med Pediatr Oncol 2002;38:229-39.