Pulmonary outcomes among childhood cancer survivors has been published in the online edition of the journal Cancer.

‘The pulmonary outcomes among childhood cancer survivors have been published in the Cancer. The study also evaluates the impact of complications such as asthma and chronic cough on daily activities.’

A team of researchers from nine leading academic hospitals and research centers have published a paper in the early online edition of the journal Cancer that describes pulmonary outcomes among childhood cancer survivors. The study also evaluates the impact of complications such as asthma, chronic cough, emphysema and recurrent pneumonia on daily activities. 




Led by Andrew C. Dietz of the Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and Daniel A. Mulrooney of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the study shows that cumulative incidence of lung complications continues to increase up to 25 years from initial cancer diagnosis, and survivors treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation are at highest risk.
Based on self-reporting by more than 14,000 individuals identified through the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, a multi-institutional retrospective cohort study, the findings suggest the need for follow-up health care with advancing age and time from diagnosis.
"While often asymptomatic, damage to the lungs may limit activities of daily living with potential impact on the overall quality of life," said Dietz.
The researchers identified 20,690 five-year cancer survivors, of whom 69% completed a baseline survey, and/or one of two follow-up surveys years later. A comparison, or control, group of 4,027 survivor siblings were also surveyed.
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"This study adds to our understanding of specific, long-term risks to pulmonary health for survivors of childhood cancer, and will help refine guidelines for appropriate screening, health surveillance and counseling," said Mulrooney, adding that such knowledge will hopefully contribute to the design and testing of better, targeted interventions to decrease adverse pulmonary events in this population.
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