Childhood Cancer Survivors at Increased Risk for L

There is little that shatters one?s belief in humanity as does a diagnosis of childhood cancer. In the recent past, medicine has made great strides towards managing a very difficult situation. Unfortunately, research published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that childhood cancer survivors are at increased risk for chronic and severe life?threatening disorders when compared to their siblings. Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by uncontrolled division of cells. Childhood cancer is relatively rare, affecting approximately 14 per 100,000 individuals. The most common types of childhood cancers include those of the blood cells and lymph tissue, including leukemia and lymphoma, and brain cancer. In this study, researchers analyzed the outcomes of chronic and severe life?threatening disorders of more than 10,000 childhood cancer survivors and about 3,000 cancer-free siblings. The study participants, on average, were in their late 20?s. To perform their study, the researchers tracked the health of adults who received their diagnosis of childhood cancer in the 1970s and early 80s. This was compared to the health of their siblings. The researchers found that over 60% of survivors had at least one chronic condition and nearly 30% had a severe or life-threatening condition. Cancer survivors were 3 times more likely to have developed a chronic condition and 8 times more likely to develop a severe or life-threatening condition, when compared to their cancer-free siblings. Childhood cancer increased the risk of needing a joint replacement by 50 times, the chance of developing another cancer by a factor of 10 and the chance of developing severe heart problems by a factor of 15. Overall, researchers reported an increased risk of chronic disorders among cancer survivors. This may be due to the side effects of treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy. It is important to note that the agents that were used 30 years ago, are much different than those that are currently used. Those who have had treatment for childhood cancer should have regular assessments with their doctors.