Related Experiment Videos
Persistent psychological distress in long-term survivors of pediatric sarcoma: the experience at a single institution
Lori Wiener1, Haven Battles, Donna Bernstein
1Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, USA. wienerl@mail.nih.gov
Insights
Pediatric sarcoma survivors experience significant psychological distress and posttraumatic stress symptoms years after treatment. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions for long-term cancer survivorship care.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psychology
- Cancer Survivorship
Background:
- The long-term psychological effects of pediatric sarcoma are not well understood.
- Pediatric sarcoma survivors may face lasting psychological challenges.
- This study investigates psychological distress and PTSD in adult survivors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of psychological distress and PTSD symptoms in adult survivors of pediatric sarcoma.
- To identify factors associated with psychological distress in this cohort.
- To inform the development of supportive interventions for pediatric cancer survivors.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study of 34 adult pediatric sarcoma survivors, an average of 17 years post-treatment.
- Utilized the SCID module for PTSD, Impact of Events Scale, and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI).
- Collected sociodemographic and psychosocial data via questionnaires.
Main Results:
- 77% of survivors scored in the clinical range on the BSI, indicating significant psychological distress.
- 12% met diagnostic criteria for PTSD.
- Distress correlated with intrusive thoughts, avoidance, male gender, employment, and health worries.
Conclusions:
- This study is the first clinical evaluation of psychological distress in adult pediatric sarcoma survivors.
- Survivors of intensive multimodal cancer therapy for pediatric sarcoma are at high risk for adverse psychological outcomes.
- Appropriate psychological interventions are recommended for this population.
Background:
The long-term psychological impact of pediatric sarcoma is largely unknown. As part of a cross-sectional study examining the late effects of pediatric sarcoma therapy, we examined whether psychological distress or posttraumatic stress symptoms are present in an adult cohort of pediatric sarcoma survivors.
Method:
Thirty-four patients participated in the study, an average of 17 years after their treatment ended, each completing the SCID module for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Impact of Events Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and a questionnaire assessing sociodemographic variables and psychosocial issues.
Results:
Significant persistent psychological distress characterized this cohort of patients. Seventy-seven percent scored in the clinical range on the BSI. Twelve percent met diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Current psychological distress was associated with intrusive thoughts and avoidant behaviors, male gender, employment, difficulty readjusting to work/school after treatment, and enduring worries about health. No differences were found based on age, presence of metastatic disease or time since diagnosis.
Conclusions:
This is the first report of a clinical evaluation of psychological distress in a cohort of pediatric sarcoma survivors treated with intensive multimodal cancer therapy. The results suggest that survivors of pediatric sarcoma might be at high risk for adverse psychological outcomes. Appropriate interventions are proposed.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...
01:30Psychosurgery
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...