Pediatric blood & cancer
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Pediatric blood & cancer · Jun 2004
Comparative StudyLong-term cause-specific mortality among five-year survivors of childhood cancer.
The purpose of our study was to assess long-term cause-specific mortality of 5-year childhood cancer survivors. ⋯ The first primary cancer contributes most to the absolute excess risk of death in 5-year survivors of childhood cancer, but after 25 years childhood cancer mortality is negligible. Relative risk of death due to other causes is still significantly increased after 25 years of follow-up.
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Pediatric blood & cancer · Jun 2004
Posttraumatic stress symptoms in adult survivors of childhood cancer.
Previous research suggests that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is present in survivors of childhood cancer. The aim of the current study was to explore posttraumatic stress symptoms in a sample of young adult survivors of childhood cancer. In addition, the impact of demographic, medical and treatment factors on survivors' posttraumatic stress symptoms was studied. ⋯ The results indicate that, although the proportion of survivors reporting symptoms is well within the proportions found in the general population, a substantial subset of survivors report symptoms of posttraumatic stress. This finding supports the outcomes reported previously that diagnosis and treatment for childhood cancer may have significant long-term effects, which are manifested in symptoms of posttraumatic stress. The investigated factors could explain posttraumatic stress symptoms only to a limited extent. Further research exploring symptoms of posttraumatic stress in childhood cancer survivors in more detail is clearly warranted. From a clinical perspective, health care providers must pay attention to these symptoms during evaluations in the follow-up clinic. Early identification and treatment of PTSD symptoms can enhance the quality of life for survivors of childhood cancer.