Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print More children survive cancer but the after-effects present a challenge to doctors

More children survive cancer but the after-effects present a challenge to doctors

September 21, 2003

Embargoed: 09.00 hrs CET Wednesday 24 September 2003

Copenhagen, Denmark: The number of children who survive childhood cancer is improving dramatically, but because of the side effects of their treatment the majority continue to need specialist care for many years. This rapid increase in the numbers of survivors means that the medical profession must consider the best and most cost-effective way of caring for them, according to Jill Mann, Professor of Paediatric Oncology at the University of Birmingham, and Emeritus Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at the Birmingham Children's Hospital in the UK.




Prof. Mann told delegates at ECCO12 - The European Cancer Conference that a study of 5,016 children*, aged 14 and under, who were diagnosed with cancer between 1960 and 1999, showed that five-year survival for all cancers increased from 23% in the 1960s to 70% in the 1990s. In 1970 98 children had survived their disease for five years or more, but by 2000 the number of survivors had increased to 1,747, and by 2005 the number is expected to exceed 2,100.

About a third of the children had been diagnosed with leukaemia, a quarter with brain tumours, and the rest with a wide range of other solid tumours. They had been treated with one or a combination of therapies: 5% had surgery alone, 55% radiotherapy and 85% chemotherapy. However these treatments had caused side effects that required long-term follow-up, said Prof. Mann.

"It is a mixture of good and bad news," she said. "The number of patients surviving beyond five years has increased substantially from the 1960s to the 1990s, but the majority of patients have some form of side effect from their treatment and/or their illness, which requires medical intervention. For example, the majority of children who had leukaemia received cranial irradiation as part of their treatment which, in some of them, has produced under-activity of the pituitary gland leading to reduced growth hormone production, reduction in overall height and a tendency to obesity and other metabolic disorders. Some of them also have learning difficulties especially if they had received irradiation at a young age.

"Exposure to anthracyclines (anti-cancer drugs) can cause cardiac problems later on. These side effects are treatable and most patients do not have such serious side effects that they cannot live a normal life, go on to further education, hold down a job and have a family."

Thyroid, fertility, neuro-cognitive, mobility, visual, hearing, dental and cosmetic problems were also side effects of some of the treatments. Only 18% of patients had no chronic medical problems, and many patients had several problems.

Prof. Mann said that all survivors of childhood cancer required some form of follow-up, even those with no problems recorded. However, more research was required to determine those that could be followed up by their family doctors and those that needed to attend a multi-disciplinary clinic where they could see experts on endocrinology, rehabilitation, cardiology, surgery and psychological support, as well as on cancer.

"The only way that we will get answers to questions about how long patients should be followed up for, and what tests should be conducted and when, is by writing a programme of care, following it and auditing the results, "said Prof. Mann. "Analysis of these data will give us valuable information to help us to determine the best care of the patient at the most economic cost in terms of resources, the staff required and the patient's convenience. In addition, it will help us to adjust treatments so as to reduce the impact of long-term side effects.

"The key messages to come from our research are that survival from childhood cancers has improved dramatically, but that the survivors may have complications from the disease or the treatment. Many of these complications are compatible with a normal life style and life span so long as they are diagnosed and treated adequately, but work is needed to determine the most efficient and cost effective way to follow these patients so that they achieve the maximum quality and quantity of life. Research is required to determine the extent of problems in survivors so that treatment of current patients can be modified to avoid them as far as possible. For example, already we have greatly reduced the use of cranial radiotherapy in children with leukaemia and doctors use smaller doses of anthracyclines."
(ends)

Abstract no: 724 (Wednesday 24 September, 10.45 hrs CET, Paediatric Oncology session)

Notes
*Data on the 5,016 children were obtained from the West Midlands Regional Children's Tumour Registry.

WordMason



Related Cancer Current Events and Cancer News Articles Cancer Current Events and Cancer News RSS Cancer Current Events and Cancer News RSS
Scientists successfully reprogram blood cells
Researchers have transplanted genetically modified hematopoietic stem cells into mice so that their developing red blood cells produce a critical lysosomal enzyme -preventing or reducing organ and central nervous system damage from the often-fatal genetic disorder Hurler's syndrome.

Newly Discovered Fat Molecule: An Undersea Killer with an Upside
A chemical culprit responsible for the rapid, mysterious death of phytoplankton in the North Atlantic Ocean has been found by collaborating scientists at Rutgers University and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). This same chemical may hold unexpected promise in cancer research.

For young boys with cancer, testicular tissue banking may be option to preserve fertility
For parents of children with cancer, the hopeful news is that pediatric survival rates have steadily improved for decades. Among the bad news-treatments that enable survival often cause infertility.

CSHL study shows that some malignant tumors can be shut down after all
Oncologists have had their hands tied because more than half of all human cancers have mutations that disable a protein called p53.

Hundreds of genes distinguish patients likely to survive advanced melanoma
Although the chances of surviving advanced melanoma aren't very good with current therapies, some patients can live for years with cancer that has spread beyond the skin to other organs.

New imagining technique could lead to better antibiotics and cancer drugs
A recently devised method of imaging the chemical communication and warfare between microorganisms could lead to new antibiotics, antifungal, antiviral and anti-cancer drugs, said a Texas AgriLife Research scientist.

FDA approved leukemia drugs shows promise in ovarian cancer cells
The drug Sprycel, approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, significantly inhibited the growth and invasiveness of ovarian cancer cells and also promoted their death, a study by researchers with UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found.

U.S. and European Experts Applaud Creation of New Transatlantic Task Force on Global Antibiotic Resistance Threat
Experts on both sides of the Atlantic applaud President Barack Obama and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, representing the European Union (EU) Presidency, for establishing a transatlantic task force to address antibiotic resistance, an urgent and growing problem that threatens patient safety and public health worldwide.

1930s drug slows tumor growth
Drugs sometimes have beneficial side effects. A glaucoma treatment causes luscious eyelashes. A blood pressure drug also aids those with a rare genetic disease.

SNM applauds House action to build medical isotopes reactor in the US
SNM applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for its passage of H.R. 3276-the American Medical Isotopes Production Act of 2009.
More Cancer Current Events and Cancer News Articles
Anticancer: A New Way of Life

Anticancer: A New Way of Life
by David Servan-Schreiber (Author)

The New York Times bestseller takes us on an empowering journey and changes the way we think about fighting cancer

David Servan-Schreiber's story of his journey from cancer patient to health combines memoir with a clear scientific explanation of what makes cancer cells thrive and what inhibits them. Anticancer is filled with easy to understand charts and diagrams and a sixteen-page color "Anticancer Action" insert that enables readers to make small but essential changes in lifestyle and diet. Your body knows how to fight cancer, says Servan-Schreiber, and you have to help it with nutrition, physical exercise, stress management, and avoiding environmental toxins. Anticancer enables people living with cancer to adopt a proactive attitude to living, even thriving, with cancer and...

Beating Cancer with Nutrition, book with CD

Beating Cancer with Nutrition, book with CD
by Patrick Quillin (Author)

Beating Cancer with Nutrition. Sugar feeds Cancer: diet and supplements can starve tumors· Nutrition makes chemo and radiation more toxic to the tumor while protecting the patient. Nutrition changes underlying causes of cancer, improving outcome for cancer patients regardless of other therapies. Why Beating Cancer with Nutrition is unique: The book was developed after working with over 500 cancer patients and organizing 3 international symposiums on the subject. The information contained in BCN is both scientifically backed with references and clinically proven in the hospital with patients. This information helps cancer patients to improve quality and quantity of life. BCN had been translated into Japanese and Chinese and is being translated into Korean. BCN had become a home study...

The Biology of Cancer HB

The Biology of Cancer HB
by Robert A. Weinberg (Author)

The Biology of Cancer is a new textbook for undergraduate and graduate biology students as well as medical students studying the molecular and cellular bases of cancer. The book presents the principles of cancer biology in an organized, cogent, and in-depth manner. The clarity of writing and the lucid full-color art program make the book accessible and engaging. The information unfolds through the presentation of key experiments which give readers a sense of discovery and provides insights into the conceptual foundation underlying modern cancer biology.


The Biology of Cancer synthesizes the findings of three decades of recent cancer research and proposes a conceptual framework from which to teach about these discoveries. It provides the necessary structure, organization, and...

Pink Snuggie Blanket - Purchase BenefitsThe Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Pink Snuggie Blanket - Purchase BenefitsThe Breast Cancer Research Foundation
by Bewild

- Pink Snuggie Blanket

Cancer: 50 Essential Things to Do: Third Edition

Cancer: 50 Essential Things to Do: Third Edition
by Greg Anderson (Author)

The ground-breaking classic guide to surviving cancer—now completely updated!

Revised and updated for the first time since 1999, this invaluable guide to cancer recovery offers an easily accessible plan for patients and family members. Written by a cancer survivor, the book is an inspiring, action-oriented roadmap for those who choose to adopt a stance of hope and take charge of their diagnosis.

With penetrating insights that bring together more than two decades of scientifically supported research and experience, Anderson reveals a step-by-step holistic action plan that has been successfully employed by hundreds of thousands of cancer patients worldwide. Anderson’s message is: “You must not simply treat illness, you must also create wellness—physically,...

Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings: When someone you love has cancer...a hopeful, helpful book for kids

Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings: When someone you love has cancer...a hopeful, helpful book for kids
by Ellen McVicker (Author), Nanci Hersh (Illustrator)

This is a listen-to or read-aloud book for children. It is a resource that can be used to educate and support any child who is facing the cancer of aloved one. The story, as told through the eyes of a child, lends itself to a simple and clear understanding of cancer. It also teaches children to realize the power they have to be an active and integral part of a loved one's cancer journey.

Death Shall Rise

Death Shall Rise
by Cancer



When Someone You Love Has Cancer: A Guide to Help Kids Cope (Elf-Help Books for Kids)

When Someone You Love Has Cancer: A Guide to Help Kids Cope (Elf-Help Books for Kids)
by Alaric Lewis (Author), R. W. Alley (Illustrator)



What to Eat if You Have Cancer (revised): Healing Foods that Boost Your Immune System

What to Eat if You Have Cancer (revised): Healing Foods that Boost Your Immune System
by Maureen Keane (Author), Daniella Chace (Author)

Fuel your body to fight cancer

Cancer and cancer treatment take a toll on your body, but you can help make cancer treatment more effective and reduce its unpleasant side effects with good nutrition. What to Eat if You Have Cancer presents the best foods to fight cancer and suggests ways to keep your body strong--knowledge you need to take control of your health.

A vital resource for cancer patients, this revised edition contains new recipes, new menus, and the latest research on cancer and nutrition.

With the help of What to Eat if You Have Cancer, you will learn

The foods to eat and the foods to avoid in your fight with cancer The proper use of supplements in nutrition therapy How to create personalized meal plans to...

Master Lock 4688DPINK Breast Cancer Research Foundation TSA Resettable Travel Lock, Pink

Master Lock 4688DPINK Breast Cancer Research Foundation TSA Resettable Travel Lock, Pink
by Master Lock



© 2009 BrightSurf.com