Treatment Consequences in Adults Who Survive Childhood Cancer

mean age was 4-5yr old, most had ALL. median age of this cohort was only 32 years, these data are concerning and may indicate a pattern of accelerated or premature aging. Authors wanted to see effects of screening on the adults who were survivors of childhood cancer. They found >20% increase in heart/lung and neuroendocrine abnormalities compared to standard age control. Ninety-eight percent of our cohort had 1 or more chronic health conditions, survivor of leukemias who were treated with 24-Gy cranial irradiation demonstrated reduced cognitive status and memory on formal neuropsychological testing. Authors show that even though this radiation does not affect the patietns chance of finding a job and living etc (from a cognitive point of view), there seems to be an increase risk of developing dementia at an earlier age, thus screening these patient for affects upon mental status might be needed "Exposure-specific, risk-based screening resulted in identification and referral for treatment of some conditions that are amenable to remediation" study has selection bias as only 60% contacted consented to study. Also differing treatment regimes used when the child was treated maybe different then compared to now thus one maynot be able to guide future interventions. Survivors of childhood cancer are at much greater risk of heart, lung, mental disabilities which can start to be see, (via screening) at an early age in adulthood (30). Thus the health care system needs to be aware of this population of patients and prospectively treat these patients before any conditions get worse (stroke etc). ref Hudson MM et al. Clinical ascertainment of health outcomes among adults treated for childhood cancer. JAMA 2013 Jun 12; 309:2371 - See more at: http://www.jwatch.org/na31363/2013/07/02/treatment-consequences-adults-who-survive-childhood-cancer#sthash.aPk2tfgD.dpuf