TREATING CHILDHOOD CANCER - THE COST OF CURE
Summary
Treatment of childhood cancer is a success story and the chances of five-year survival for a child developing cancer today is nearly 80%. However, such treatment and success has not been without cost – with a generation of adult survivors of childhood cancer developing a range of conditions resulting from such treatments. Dr Angela Thomas provides an overview of this area.
Key Points
- Nearly 80% of children who develop cancer now survive at least five years. Currently, about 1 in 1,000 young adults has survived childhood cancer
- The aim in the past has been to cure patients using intensive treatment with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
- Most information relates to leukaemia and lymphoma which represents 40% of childhood cancers. Long-term problems may be a consequence of the original disease or its treatment.
- Radiotherapy of the central nervous system (brain) may lead to later problems with reasoning, memory and concentration as well as to new cancer. It is now reserved for patients at higher risk of central nervous system involvement.
- Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can both cause new cancers, particularly leukaemia, in the long-term, and can also lead to growth retardation and to damage of the endocrine organs, heart and lungs.
- Modern treatment is a balance between achieving cure and minimising side-effects. Current treatments aim at intensity for high-risk patients and reduced therapy in low-risk groups.
- Careful follow-up of well-informed patients and parents by general practitioners and specialists to detect complications early is vital to achieving the best outcomes.
Declaration of interests: Dr Thomas has previously received educational grants from Wyeth and Novo Nordisk and a grant for a study from Chugai.
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