Survivorship issues address the physical, emotional and practical
aspects of coping with cancer after treatment is over. Anyone
affected by cancer is a survivor––the person diagnosed,
his or her family, friends and caregivers. While some survivorship
issues begin at the moment of diagnosis, others, such as “late
effects,” may occur months after treatment has ended.
Late effects are health problems that result from cancer treatments
such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplants
and stem cell transplants. The health problems can be subtle
or severe, and they can occur during treatment or not until months
or years after treatment is over.
Late effects in childhood cancer survivors can surface
in:
- Organs, bones or body tissues
- Mood, feelings and actions
- Thinking, learning and memory
Physical Issues
- Lack of concentration
- Fatigue
- Chronic pain
- Second cancers
- Fertility problems
- Neuropathy
Emotional Issues
- Body image
- Fear
of recurrence
- Grief
and loss
- Sadness
and depression
- Reentry into school
- Reestablishing friendships
Practical Issues
- Finding specialized follow-up care
- Communicating with your health care team
- Life expectancy
- Health insurance
- Quality of life and palliative care
According to the National Cancer Institute, the risk that a
cancer treatment will cause late effects depends on a number
of things, including:
- The type of cancer and where
it is in the body
- The child’s age (when treated)
- The type and amount of treatment
- The area treated
- Genetic factors
or health problems the child had before the cancer
To manage late effects, it’s very important that pediatric
cancer survivors have regular follow-up visits
with health professionals who are trained to recognize late effect
symptoms. During follow up exams doctors can also identify recurrences,
signs of spreading, or development of a second cancer. In addition
to follow-up care, patients should keep track of changes in their
health and alert their doctor to any symptoms that arise.
Get helpful information and resources
for survivors »
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