Klin Onkol 2007; 20(1): 18-22.
Summary
Over the last 40 years, great progress has been made in treating childhood cancer. However, the price of success of cancer therapy is high. Following therapy about two thirds of survivors have one chronic or late effect of cancer therapy, with about one third experiencing a serious or life-threatening complications. Survivors of childhood cancer are risk populations for development of late or long-term complications secondary cancers, cardiotoxicity, pneumotoxicity, endocrine dysfunction, infertility, musculoskeletal abnormalities, neurocognitive deficits and other complications. Patients with late complications occurring after five and more years of completion of therapy are seen by health care professionals of many specialties unfamiliar with this population. The aim of this review is to convey a sense of the potential risks faced by cancer survivors. We also review recently completed recommendations for long-term follow-up and management of these patients.
