Primary Care of the Childhood Cancer Survivor

Today more than 80% of children diagnosed with cancer are alive 5 years after diagnosis. Childhood cancer survivors encounter high rates of morbidity and mortality from late effects and, as a result, require long-term follow-up care. Care must be individualized based on the cancer type and therapies, which are detailed in a treatment summary. Primary care providers are instrumental to providing long-term care, which includes monitoring for recurrence and secondary malignancies, evaluating for and treating late effects, and providing preventive care and counseling. With appropriate surveillance, childhood cancer survivors can live physically and emotionally healthy lives.