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Longterm Effects
Last update on: 02/26/2009
Since the quality of life is of particular importance, longterm effects must be grasped study specifically and generically. Recommendations for the inquiry of longterm effect and quality of life as a basic programme within pediatric oncology are developed by LESS (Late Effects Surveillance System) and the area of research of quality of life of the competency network of pediatric oncology and haemotoloy (KPOH), funded by the German ministry for education and research read more
Focusing on the less publically known problems of former children's cancer patients, there may be the following effects:
- preliminary or lasting medical longterm effects, such as a change in growth, delayed pubertal development or infertility, damaging of teeth or the oral mucosa respectively, the thyroid, limited functioning of the organ system such as kidney, heart or lung, increased risk of the development of secondary tumours
- psychosocial longterm effects, meaning the influence the cancer affection and treatment have on the health related quality of life of the affected and its impact on specific areas of life
„Psychosocial long term effects compromising, the mental state, self image and self-worth, abilities, relationships, the social and professional situation, can still occurr or remain months or years after the affection"
Dr. Reinhard Topf
director of the psychosocial team,
Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
Psychotherapist, health psychologist and clinical psychologist
