Long-term follow-up of survivors of childhood cancer

Abstract

Today, more than 70% of children treated for cancer will be cured, and attention is focusing on the late effects of treatments for these long-term survivors. Treatment-related morbidity is diverse, with potential effects on the endocrine system (growth, puberty, fertility, pituitary, thyroid and other disorders); cardiovascular, pulmonary and renal complications; second tumours; and cognitive, educational, neuropsychological and social manifestations. Multidisciplinary longterm follow-up of these patients is essential to monitor, treat and prevent morbidity. In this review the authors describe the chronic health problems encountered by survivors and discuss the development of a long-term follow-up service for childhood cancer survivors.