Behavioral and social outcomes in adolescent survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the childhood cancer survivor study.
OBJECTIVE
Adolescents, regardless of medical history, may face behavioral and social challenges. Cancer and related treatments represent additional challenges for teens navigating the transition from childhood to adulthood. This study was conducted to evaluate behavioral and social outcomes of adolescent childhood cancer survivors using data from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.


METHODS
We evaluated 2,979 survivors and 649 siblings of cancer survivors to determine the incidence of difficulty in six behavioral and social domains (depression/anxiety, headstrong, attention deficit, peer conflict/social withdrawal, antisocial behaviors, and social competence). Outcomes were determined by calculating parent-reported scores to questions from the behavior problem index.


RESULTS
Survivors and siblings were similar in age at the time of interview (mean: 14.8, survivors; 14.9, siblings; range, 12 to 17 years). Overall, multivariate analyses showed that survivors were 1.5 times (99% CI, 1.1 to 2.1) more likely than siblings to have symptoms of depression/anxiety and 1.7 times (99% CI, 1.3 to 2.2) more likely to have antisocial behaviors. Scores in the depression/anxiety, attention deficit, and antisocial domains were significantly elevated in adolescents treated for leukemia or CNS tumors when compared with siblings. In addition, survivors of neuroblastoma had difficulty in the depression/anxiety and antisocial domains. Treatments with cranial radiation and/or intrathecal methotrexate were specific risk factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Adolescent survivors of childhood cancer, especially those with a history of leukemia, CNS tumors, or neuroblastoma, may be at increased risk for adverse behavioral and social outcomes. Increased surveillance of this population, in combination with development of interventional strategies, should be a priority.
Schultz
Kris Ann P
KA
Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Ness
Kirsten K
KK
Whitton
John
J
Recklitis
Christopher
C
Zebrack
Brad
B
Robison
Leslie L
LL
Zeltzer
Lonnie
L
Mertens
Ann C
AC
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects; D001921:Brain / Q000528:radiation effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D008727:Methotrexate