Anxiety among adolescent survivors of pediatric cancer: A missing link in the survivorship literature.
OBJECTIVE
With growing numbers of pediatric cancer survivors, it is becoming increasingly important to investigate the psychosocial sequelae of surviving cancer diagnosed during childhood or adolescence. It is particularly important to study the psychosocial needs of adolescent survivors of pediatric cancer because adolescence is a critical time during psychosocial development. Although there is existent literature about the general psychosocial adjustment of this population, the literature regarding anxiety is scant. This brief review aimed to assesses currently available literature that addresses anxiety in adolescent cancer survivors.


METHODS
Articles assessing psychosocial adjustment in adolescent survivors of pediatric cancer were reviewed for information regarding anxiety symptoms.


RESULTS
To the authors' knowledge, there is no literature that focuses specifically on anxiety in this population. However, many articles reported results that indicated the possibility of increased anxiety in this group.


CONCLUSIONS
It is critical to further investigate anxiety in this group and develop appropriate interventions if necessary. Doing so will aid the process of enhancing psychosocial care for adolescent cancer survivors.
Teachers College, Columbia University,New York, New York.
Glynnis
G
McDonnell
Teachers College, Columbia University,New York, New York.
Charles
C
Baily
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center,New York, New York.
Tammy
T
Schuler
Teachers College, Columbia University,New York, New York.
Helen
H
Verdeli
D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
Survivorship