Follow-up care for survivors of childhood cancer

The number of survivors of childhood cancer is steadily increasing as the long-term prognosis for cancer in children improves. As these patients reach adulthood, the need for continued follow-up related to the late effects of their cancer therapy is necessary. Such effects can occur in many body systems, although the cardiac effects of anthracyclines (doxorubicin and daunomycin Astra, USA Inc, West Borough, MA) are the most life threatening. It is important that survivors are educated about the treatments they received and that they and their health care providers are alert to the potential late effects.