Non-oncogenic sequelae of cancer chemotherapy

The delayed effects of anticancer drugs and late complications in 334 long-term survivors of childhood cancer were reviewed. Sequelae associated with chemotherapy were uncommon. Two men in the series exhibited disorders in reproductive function, possibly due to chlorambucil. A third male patient had cyclophosphamide-induced hematuria which persisted for two years after cessation of therapy. Other abnormalities were renal, hepatic, skeletal and cardiopulmonary, ascribed chiefly to radiotherapy, although the deleterious effect of drugs on irradiated organs cannot be excluded. The data indicate that the skillful and judicious application of chemotherapeutic agents produces a minimum of delayed consequences.