Pediatric Cancer Survivorship: A Review

Following cancer treatment, childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at risk for adverse physical, psychosocial, functional, and behavioral long-term health outcomes, known as "late effects." Risk for late effects is individualized based on the survivor's treatment exposures and can occur years or decades after treatment. Lifelong survivorship care is needed for screening, prevention, and treatment of late effects. Studies have shown that survivor-focused care declines over time; however, survivors remain engaged with regular medical care. It is important for primary care health care professionals to be aware of resources when caring for this unique population. Multiple domestic and international guidelines are available to provide recommended evaluations for cancer survivors based on their treatment exposures. This review highlights important topics relevant for health care professionals caring for CCS, including organ system-specific late effects, psychosocial care, subsequent neoplasms, immunizations, and transition of medical care.