Health status of the oldest adult survivors of cancer during childhood.
BACKGROUND
Young adult survivors of childhood cancer have an increased risk for treatment-related morbidity and mortality. In this study, the authors assessed how treatment for childhood cancer affects older-adult health and health practices.


METHODS
One hundred seven adults treated for childhood cancer between 1947 and 1968, known to have survived past age 50 years, were identified from a single-institution cohort established in 1975. Updated vital status on eligible cases was obtained from public records. Survivors and a control group of their age-matched siblings and cousins completed a mailed survey to assess physical and social function, healthcare practices, and the prevalence of common adult illnesses.


RESULTS
Of the 107 survivors known to be alive at age 50 years, 16 were deceased at follow-up; 7 deaths could be associated with prior treatment (second malignancy in radiation field [3], small bowel obstruction after abdominal radiation [2], and cardiac disease after chest irradiation [2]). The 55 survivors (median age, 56 years; range, 51-71 years), and 32 family controls (median age, 58 years; range, 48-70 years), reported similar health practices, health-related quality of life, and social function. However, survivors reported more frequent visits to healthcare providers (P < .05), more physical impairments (P < .05), fatigue (P = .02), hypertension (P = .001), and coronary artery disease (P = .01). An increased risk of hypertension was associated with nephrectomy during childhood (odds ratio, 18.9; 95% confidence interval, 3.0-118.8).


CONCLUSIONS
The oldest adult survivors of childhood cancer continue to be at risk for treatment-related complications that potentially decrease their life expectancy and compromise their quality of life.
Kenney
Lisa B
LB
Department of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Lisa_Kenney@DFCI.harvard.edu
Nancarrow
Cheryl Medeiros
CM
Najita
Julie
J
Vrooman
Lynda M
LM
Rothwell
Monica
M
Recklitis
Christopher
C
Li
Frederick P
FP
Diller
Lisa
L
D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D017741:Survivors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*