UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: An increasing number of survivors has led to a heightened appreciation of the late complications of treatment caused by both radiation and chemotherapy. Combination chemotherapy, often in conjunction with surgery and external radiotherapy, is utilized in most children with cancer. These agents are capable of causing a variety of delayed toxicities. This study reviews the common long-term sequalae of childhood cancer and its therapy.

Methods:A group of 100 long-term survivors of childhood cancer have been prospectively studied at the Medical Oncology Unit of the Cancer Institute(WIA), Chennai, India. The tumors were diagnosed and treated between 1968 and 2001 and the patients followed up until July 2005.

Results:The diagnoses were: Acute lmphoblastic leukemia 36; nephroblastoma 4; Hodgkin's Disease 32; bone & soft-tissue sarcoma 10; non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 13, germ cell tumour 4; AML 1. Long term sequalae of treatment such as impaired intellectual and psychomotor function, neuro-endocrine abnormality (2), impaired reproduction capacity (21), myopathy (1), neuropathy (1), growth abnormality (7), second malignant neoplasm (2). Other late effects includes Hepatitis B virus infection (18%), Hepatitis C virus infection (14%) There was no obvious pulmonary or cardiac damage. Quality of life assessment done on these survivors and counseling for a healthy life was given in our Late effects clinic.

Conclusion:

This information may allow clinicians to better monitor childhood cancer survivors in countries with limited resources. Children with cancer--great progress, a lot of good news and some disappointments.