Description

Whereas survival from childhood and adolescent cancer used to be very low, improvements in treatment over the last three decades has meant that the prevalence of survivors is now estimated to be 1 in 900 young adults, and will increase as the population ages. This group is a risk for serious ongoing health problems, including second cancers and chronic conditions of all major organ systems, as well as psychosocial, educational and performance limitations. This study identifies a large cohort of long-term survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer diagnosed since 1970 to study overall mortality, late morbidity, and costs of long-term medical care. It will provide additional information to increase our understanding of known long-term health consequences, and will be able to identify new effects and risks for a longer latency and in older individuals. This assessment of risks of treatment and disease will lead to policies for long-term follow-up and treatment of this patient group and identification of needed resources.