New health conditions identified at a regional childhood cancer survivor clinic visit

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2013 Apr;60(4):682-7. doi: 10.1002/pbc.24360. Epub 2012 Sep 28.

Abstract

Background: Specialty childhood cancer survivorship clinics have been established to screen for potential treatment-related effects. Given the limited empirical data regarding the merit of survivorship clinics, we assessed the frequencies of newly identified, therapy-related effects in survivors who attended Health, Education, Research, Outcomes for Survivors (HEROS) clinic at Yale during 2003-2009.

Procedure: A total of 213 survivors in remission, who were diagnosed with cancer at an age ≤21 years and were ≥3 years after cancer diagnosis, underwent screening based on cancer treatment exposures according to the children's oncology group long-term follow-up guidelines. The frequencies and associated factors of newly identified health conditions were determined. Odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated using multivariate regression models with stepwise selection.

Results: Prior to the HEROS clinic visit, 49% of patients had at least one previously known late complication of therapy. After the visit, a total of 98 new health conditions were identified in 73 patients (34%). Newly identified complications in screened patients included pulmonary dysfunction (23%), endocrinopathy (19%), osteoporosis (17%), dyslipidemia (8%), neurologic impairment (4%), cardiovascular deficit (3%) and subsequent cancer (3%). Age at cancer diagnosis (OR = 1.06 [1.00-1.11]), chest irradiation (OR = 2.92 [1.58-5.40]), and history of ≥1 other treatment-related complication(s) (OR = 2.20 [1.18-4.07]) were associated with a higher likelihood of having new conditions identified.

Conclusion: Risk-based screening at a specialty childhood cancer survivor clinic detected a substantial number of previously unrecognized, treatment-related health complications in a group of survivors already receiving regular medical care elsewhere.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Ambulatory Care Facilities* / organization & administration
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Delivery of Health Care / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Neoplasms / complications*
  • Survivors*
  • Young Adult