[The concept of cure in children with cancer]

Between 1987 and 1991, 248 long-term survivors of childhood cancer have been studied at the Oncology Unit of the Children's Hospital of Buenos Aires. The tumors were diagnosed between 1965 and 1986 as, retinoblastoma: 65, lymphoma: 57, nephroblastoma: 36, neuroblastoma: 25, germ-cell tumors: 18, sarcoma: 19, bone tumors: 7, lymphoepithelioma of cavum: 4, histiocytosis X: 9, others: 8. The treatment consisted of, surgery: 25, surgery+chemotherapy: 40, surgery+radiotherapy: 8, chemotherapy: 23, chemotherapy+radiotherapy: 42, and surgery+chemotherapy+radiotherapy: 110. There are alive without evidence of cancer disease 234 survivors between 5 and 25 years after diagnosis. Severe organic disabilities were observed in 181 survivors and moderate in 142. Thirteen patients died because of second malignant neoplasia and 1 patient with lung metastasis 9 years after diagnosis of nephroblastoma. In 180 survivors the data of instruction was available. Seventy participate in sports and 13 in artistic activities. Eight survivors are university graduates and 24 are employees. Five young women were mothers and one young man was a father. The meaning of concept of "cure" is discussed from the point of view of the physicians and the survivors. In order to detect deleterious late effects of cancer and their treatment the follow-up must be continuous.