Late effects in long-term survivors after treatment for childhood acute leukemia.
BACKGROUND
This is a report of late effects in childhood cancer survivors seen in the follow-up clinic of a single institution.


METHODS
There were 324 acute leukemia survivors in the database of the Long Term Follow Up Clinic of Children's National Medical Center from January 1, 1997, through June 30, 2005.


RESULTS
Of the 324 acute leukemia survivors, 228 were white, 48 black, 20 Hispanic, and 12 other. Their follow-up time was 0 to 25 years (mean 5.3 years). One or more adverse events occurred in 74.1% of the 324 survivors. Defective physical growth was most commonly reported, followed by disturbed neurocognitive function, emotional difficulties, cardiac abnormalities, hypertension, osteoporosis/osteopenia, fractures, and second neoplasms. More black and Hispanic children had acute myeloid leukemia, relapses, cardiac problems, and hypertension than white and other subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Childhood cancer survivors require lifelong monitoring, with prompt identification and treatment of adverse late effects.
Haddy
Theresa B
TB
Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC,USA. tbhaddy@aol.com
Mosher
Revonda B
RB
Reaman
Gregory H
GH
D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D009765:Obesity / Q000139:chemically induced; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000139:chemically induced; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology