Pediatric cancer survival rates are improving, turning a once-deadly disease into a treatable condition. With chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, many children finish treatment and return to daily life. An initiative of the WHO for childhood cancer aims to increase the survival rates to 60% by 2030 in low- and middle-income countries. However, these treatments can cause long-term health issues, known as late effects of childhood cancer. As the number of survivors is growing, long-term health monitoring becomes essential.  

Why does long-term health monitoring matter?

The late effects of curing treatments can become fatal if they go unnoticed and untreated. It needs a proper follow-up care plan so that the survivors’ quality of life and long-term health are not directly affected. Proactive screening is the aim of survivorship care to prevent and manage the challenges. This helps with an easy adulthood transition.

Physical, emotional, and developmental challenges

The late effects survivors face depend on their diagnosis, age at treatment, and the type of treatment received. Physical effects affect major organ systems, causing cardiotoxicity (heart damage), pulmonary fibrosis, endocrine issues, secondary cancers, and neurocognitive issues. Long-term health monitoring must address both emotional and developmental challenges, in addition to physical ones. Children who survive cancer can face mental challenges like stress, anxiety, depression, and trouble with memory or focus (sometimes called chemobrain). That’s why mental health support is an important part of their care after treatment.

Follow-up care necessities

Follow-up care plans are made based on each survivor’s treatment history. The Children’s Oncology Group (COG) gives long-term follow-up guidelines with in-depth information about common late effects. Survivors of chest radiation may require annual mammograms and thyroid screening earlier than the general population. To monitor the heart, doctors suggest regular electrocardiograms and echocardiograms. After that, regular blood tests are performed to detect metabolic syndrome or secondary malignancies. Pediatric cancer survivors require continuous care, with special survivorship care for adulthood, while understanding the late effects of childhood cancer.

Nutrition, physical activity, and mental health

Eating healthy foods and staying active can lower the risk of conditions like diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Counseling and support groups help survivors process their cancer experience. These steps also encourage survivors to take an active role in their health and improve long-term outcomes.