Search

Little is known about infections occurring after childhood cancer treatment. We assessed the risk of severe infection postcancer therapy in survivors of leukemia compared to other cancer types. We performed a population-based cohort study of children <15 years of age diagnosed with cancer (2001–2016), alive and relapse-free 30 days after treatment completion. The risk of severe infection in both groups was estimated using subdistribution proportional hazard regression. We identified 6148 survivors (1960 with leukemia). The cumulative incidence (95% confidence interval) of severe infections at 3 years was 0.70% (0.40–1.2%) in leukemia and 0.51% (0.32–0.79%) in other cancers. The risk of severe infection was not statistically different in leukemia survivors compared to other cancer types in univariate and multivariate analysis (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.40, 95% CI: 0.69–2.85). No significant association was found between a history of leukemia and an increased risk of severe infection after treatment, compared to other cancer types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infections are a common complication of treatment for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Less is known about infections occurring after treatment. We performed a systematic review of the literature to assess the incidence of infections after therapy completion in children and young adults with ALL or AML. Twenty-eight studies, with 4138 patients, were included. Four studies reported infections in patients who did not undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Respiratory tract and urinary tract infections affected 9.9–72.5% and 2.9–19.8% of patients, respectively. Twelve studies reported infections in patients treated with HSCT. Late bacterial, viral and fungal infections affected 3.9–38.5%, 16.1–66.7%, and 0.2–41.7% of patients, respectively. Viral hepatitis affected 0.8–75.4% of patients from 12 studies. Our review suggests that infections are a frequent complication after treatment for leukemia in children, especially after HSCT and identifies several knowledge gaps in the current literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in childhood have an increased risk of subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs). Herein, the authors extended the follow-up of a previously reported Late Effects Study Group cohort and identified patients at highest risk for SMNs to create evidence for risk-based screening recommendations.Methods: The standardized incidence ratio was calculated using rates from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program as a reference. The risk of SMN was estimated using proportional subdistribution hazards regression. The cohort included 1136 patients who were diagnosed with HL before age 17 years between 1955 and 1986. The median length of follow-up was 26.6 years.Results: In 162 patients, a total of 196 solid SMNs (sSMNs) were identified. Compared with the general population, the cohort was found to be at a 14-fold increased risk of developing an sSMN (95% confidence interval, 12.0-fold to 16.3-fold). The cumulative incidence of any sSMN was 26.4% at 40 years after a diagnosis of HL. Risk factors for breast cancer among females were an HL diagnosis between ages 10 years and 16 years and receipt of chest radiotherapy. Males treated with chest radiotherapy at age <10 years were found to be at highest risk of developing lung cancer. Survivors of HL who were treated with abdominal/pelvic radiotherapy and high-dose alkylating agents were found to be at highest risk of developing colorectal cancer and females exposed to neck radiotherapy at age <10 years were at highest risk of thyroid cancer. By age 50 years, the cumulative incidence of breast, lung, colorectal, and thyroid cancer was 45.3%, 4.2%, 9.5%, and 17.3%, respectively, among those at highest risk.Conclusions: Survivors of childhood HL remain at an increased risk of developing sSMNs. In the current study, subgroups of survivors of HL at highest risk of specific sSMNs were identified, and evidence for screening provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose was to describe the incidence and risk factors of congestive heart failure (CHF) among children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We included 2053 children (≤18 years) with first primary ALL and AML diagnosed 1992-2010 and registered in the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario Networked Information System. We identified CHF events through linked administrative databases. At 10 years, the cumulative incidence of CHF was 1.7% in ALL and 7.5% in AML. Factors associated with CHF in ALL were female gender, age <1 year at cancer diagnosis, irradiation and cumulative anthracycline dose ≥250 mg/m2. Irradiation was the only risk factor in AML patients. Of the 23 patients with CHF during active therapy, one developed CHF following treatment completion. Incidence of CHF were 1.7% in ALL and 7.5% in AML. Most with CHF during active therapy did not develop CHF after treatment completion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the socioeconomic and health system factors of the population on childhood cancer medical care and screening including enrollment in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) and individual-level factors from U.S. Area Health Resource File was reported.

Background: The determinants of outcomes for adult survivors of pediatric low-grade glioma (PLGG) are largely unknown.Methods: This study collected population-based follow-up information for all PLGG patients diagnosed in Ontario, Canada from 1985 to 2012 (n = 1202) and determined factors affecting survival. The impact of upfront radiation treatment on overall survival (OS) was determined for a cohort of Ontario patients and an independent reference cohort from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database.Results: At a median follow-up of 12.73 years (range, 0.02-33 years), only 93 deaths (7.7%) were recorded, and the 20-year OS rate was 90.1% ± 1.1%. Children with neurofibromatosis type 1 had excellent survival and no tumor-related deaths during adulthood. Adverse risk factors included pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (P < .001) and a thalamic location (P < .001). For patients with unresectable tumors surviving more than 5 years after the diagnosis, upfront radiotherapy was associated with an approximately 3-fold increased risk of overall late deaths (hazard ratio [HR], 3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6-6.6; P = .001) and an approximately 4-fold increased risk of tumor-related deaths (HR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.3-14.6; P = .013). In a multivariate analysis, radiotherapy was the most significant factor associated with late all-cause deaths (HR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.3-7.0; P = .012) and tumor-related deaths (HR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.3-14.6; P = 0.014). A similar association between radiotherapy and late deaths was observed in the independent reference cohort (P < .001). In contrast to early deaths, late mortality was associated not with PLGG progression but rather with tumor transformation and non-oncological causes.Conclusions: The course of PLGG is associated with excellent long-term survival, but this is hampered by increased delayed mortality in patients receiving upfront radiotherapy. These observations should be considered when treatment options are being weighed for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/Objectives: To identify and appraise current evidence related to the effectiveness of psychological and physical (nonpharmacologic) pain management modalities for children and young adults with cancer. Data Sources: Electronic searches in MEDLINE®, EMBASE, CINAHL®, PsycINFO, and Web of ScienceTM (from database inception to June 2013) for clinical trials. Data Synthesis: A total of 32 unique studies were identified. Substantial heterogeneity existed across identified studies, precluding meta-analysis. Therefore, a narrative review of included studies is presented. Studies featured psychological and/or physical pain interventions for children and young adults (N = 1,171) aged 1-21 years with a variety of cancer diagnoses. Interventions included aromatherapy, art therapy, distraction, hypnosis, physical activity, physical positioning, touch therapy, and multimodal cognitive-behavior therapy. Twenty-two studies (69%) reported success in preventing or reducing pain intensity. The level of evidence and methodologic quality of studies were generally low. Conclusions: Current nonpharmacologic pain interventions for pediatric and young adult patients with cancer are diverse. Several modalities significantly decreased pain intensity, suggesting that these strategies may be effective methods of pain treatment, particularly in the case of painful medical procedures. Future well-designed, multicenter, randomized, controlled trials are needed to further discern treatment effects on pain and other health outcomes in this population and to compare the relative effectiveness of different modalities. Implications for Nursing: Nurses play a key role in pain assessment and management in pediatric and young adult patients with cancer. The studies included in this review constitute the beginnings of an evidence base that supports the need to implement psychological and physical interventions to improve pain outcomes in pediatric and young adult patients with cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term survival after childhood cancer has improved dramatically over recent decades but survivors face lifelong risks of adverse health effects. Many of these chronic conditions are a direct result of previous therapeutic exposures. Compared to their siblings, survivors face a greater than 8-fold increase in relative risk of severe or life-threatening medical conditions; the most significant of these include second malignancies and cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Imaging can play a key role in identifying and characterizing such complications, which can be reasonably predicted with knowledge of the child's treatment. This article highlights the varied radiologic presentations and features seen in late cancer-therapy-related conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Although paediatric astrocytoma has an excellent 5-year survival rate, survivors remain at risk for morbidity and late mortality. This study aimed to estimate the risk of late mortality, chronic conditions, poor health status and social impairment in ageing paediatric astrocytoma survivors. Methods We longitudinally evaluated 1182 5-year astrocytoma survivors diagnosed between 1970 and 1986 and 4023 siblings enrolled in a retrospective cohort study. Kaplan–Meier estimates of late mortality and cumulative incidence of serious chronic conditions were estimated. Cox regression models provided hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for development of chronic conditions, and generalised linear models provided relative risks (RRs) of the poor health status and social outcomes. Results At 30 years from diagnosis, cumulative late mortality was 22.1% (CI 20.0–24.3%), primarily due to disease progression or recurrence. Compared with siblings, survivors were at increased risk of serious chronic conditions (HR 4.6, CI 3.8–5.5). Survivors reported higher rates of poor general health (RR 3.3, CI 2.8–3.8), poor mental health (RR 1.9, CI 1.7–2.1), functional impairment (RR 9.0, CI 7.7–10.5) and activity limitation (RR 3.6, CI 3.1–4.2) and lower rates of college graduation (RR 0.75, CI 0.69–0.82), marriage (RR 0.62, CI 0.58–0.66), employment (RR 0.75, CI 0.72–0.79) and household income ≥$40,000 (RR 0.68, CI 0.64–0.73). Even survivors without radiation exposure had elevated risk of chronic conditions, poor health status and social impairment compared with siblings. Conclusions Survivors of paediatric astrocytoma are at high risk for long-term complications of their disease and its treatment. They require lifelong monitoring for late effects. Highlights • At 30 years after diagnosis of astrocytoma, cumulative late mortality was 22.1%. • By 30 years after diagnosis, 56.7% of survivors had a serious chronic condition. • Survivors reported more functional impairment and activity limitations than siblings. • Survivors were less likely than siblings to be college educated, working or married. • Survivors treated without radiation had increased medical and psychosocial conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]