Late effects in survivors of bone tumors

Today more than 71% of children with cancer are surviving their disease. This is because of improved treatment including aggressive combination therapy and better supportive care measures. The majority of patients with bone tumors are now being treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, resulting in an increase in numbers of long-term survivors. This aggressive therapy, however, has increased the risk of developing late effects. This article reviews some of these late effects in survivors of bone tumors diagnosed in childhood or adolescence. Areas that are explored include cardiac, infections, second operations, second malignant neoplasms, renal, auditory, fertility, pulmonary, functional, and psychosocial outcomes. The need for long-term follow-up clinics is also addressed.