Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T08:27:38.997Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

What are the long-term effects of treatment on survivors of childhood leukaemia? A review of the literature

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 August 2013

D. Whitaker  and
D. Green
D. Whitaker*
Affiliation:
Department of Radiotherapy, St James University Hospital, Leeds, UK
D. Green
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
*
Correspondence to: Danielle Whitaker, Department of Radiotherapy, St James University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK. Tel: 0113 2067472. E-mail: Danielle.Whitaker@Leedsth.nhs.uk
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Purpose

Key advances in cancer treatment have led to an increasing number of long-term cancer survivors. Knowledge of the long-term effects of cancer treatment on leukaemia survivors is to some degree limited. This article investigates the effects of the treatment of childhood leukaemia on the quality of life (QOL), the physical and the psychological wellbeing and general development of survivors. This article reviews current literature to examine existing gaps in knowledge and identify a potential focus of future research and clinical practice.

Materials and methods

Online systematic searching, along with historical searching took place in order to retrieve relevant primary research papers for the review. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to the literature, to create a manageable amount of research papers.

Results

The extent of intellectual impairment among radiotherapy patients was significantly greater than those treated with chemotherapy only. Body composition, including endocrine function, is readily affected by cancer treatment. Early identification and interventions can greatly improve the QOL of survivors.

Conclusion

Further research into the effect of treatment modality on the extent of chronic effects, along with investigations into the needs of the whole family unit, is required. Future practice must take into account long-term implications while ensuring effective holistic care.

Keywords

follow uplate effectsleukaemiapaediatricphysicalpsychosocialquality of lifesurvival
Type
Literature Reviews
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 13 , Issue 3 , September 2014 , pp. 365 - 370
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Ribeiro, R C, Pui, C. Saving the children—improving childhood cancer treatment in developing countries. N Engl J Med 2005; 352 (21): 2158–2160.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2.Cantrell, M A, Ruble, K. Multidisciplinary care in paediatric oncology. J Multidiscip Healthc 2011; 4 (1): 171–181.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3.Heath, J A, Ramzy, J M, Donath, S M. Physical activity in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. J Paediatr Child Health 2010; 46 (4): 149–153.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Hunger, S P. Improved survival for children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia between 1990 and 2005: a report from the children's oncology group. J Clin Oncol 2012; 30 (14): 1663–1669.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5.Bradwell, M. Survivors of childhood cancer. Paediatr Nurs 2009; 21 (4): 21–24.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6.Berg, C, Nuefeld, P, Harvey, J, Downes, A, Hayashi, R J. Late effects of childhood cancer, participation, and quality of life of adolescents. OTJR 2009; 29 (3): 116–124.Google Scholar
7.Ness, K K, Gurney, J G, Zeltzer, L Ket al. The impact of limitations in physical, executive and emotional function on health related quality of life among adult survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the childhood cancer survivor study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2008; 89 (1): 128–136.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Freyer, D R, Kibrick-Lazear, R. In sickness and in health. Cancer 2006; 107 (suppl 7), 1702–1709.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9.Shah, A, Coleman, M P. Increasing incidence of childhood leukaemia: a controversy re-examined. Br J Cancer 2007; 97 (7): 1009–1012.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10.Bowers, D C, Liu, Y, Leisenring, Wet al. Late-occurring stroke among long-term survivors of childhood leukaemia and brain tumours: a report from the childhood cancer survivor study. J Clin Oncol 2006; 24 (33): 5277–5282.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11.Pui, C H, Campana, D, Pei, Det al. Treating childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia without cranial irradiation. N Engl J Med 2009; 360 (26): 2730–2741.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12.Van Der Lee, J H, Wesseling, J, Tanck, M W T, Offringa, M. Efficient ways exist to obtain the optimal sample size in clinical trials in rare diseases. J Clin Epidemiol 2008; 61 (4): 324–330.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13.Daams, M, Schuitema, I, Van Dijk, B Wet al. Long-term effects of cranial irradiation and intrathecal chemotherapy in treatment of childhood leukaemia: a MEG study of power spectrum and correlated cognitive dysfunction. BMC Neurol 2012; 12 (1): 84.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14.Mud, M S, Kremer, L C, Sieswerda, E, Van Der Pal, H J. Care for survivors of childhood cancer in the Netherlands. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2012; 156 (9): A4199.Google ScholarPubMed
15.Fulbright, J M, Raman, S, McClellan, W S, August, K J. Late effects of childhood leukaemia therapy. Curr Hematol Malig Rep 2011; 6 (3): 195–205.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
16.Zelter, L K, Lu, Q, Leisenring, Wet al. Psychosocial outcomes and health-related quality of life in adult childhood cancer survivors: a report from the childhood cancer survivor study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008; 17 (2): 435–446.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17.Bhatia, S, Landier, W. Evaluating survivors of paediatric cancer. Cancer J 2005; 11 (4): 340–354.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18.Oeffinger, K C, Nathan, P C, Kremer, L C M. Challenges after curative treatment for childhood cancer and long-term follow up of survivors. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2010; 24 (1): 129–149.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19.Dietz, A C, Mulrooney, D A. Life beyond the disease: relationships, parenting and quality of life among survivors of childhood cancer. Haematologica 2011; 96 (5): 643–645.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20.Spiegler, B J, Kennedy, K, Maze, Ret al. Comparison of long-term neurocognitive outcomes in young children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treated with cranial radiation or high-dose or very high-dose intravenous methotrexate. J Clin Oncol 2006; 24 (24): 3858–3864.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21.Bradley Eilertsen, M E, Jozefiak, T, Rannestad, T, Indredavik, M S, Vik, T. Quality of life in children and adolescents surviving cancer. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2012; 16 (2): 185–193.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22.Levin, T T, Li, Y, Riskind, J, Rai, K. Depression, anxiety and quality of life in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cohort. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2007; 29 (1): 251–256.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
23.Redaelli, A, Stephens, J M, Brandt, S, Botteman, M F, Pashos, C L. Short and long-term effects of acute myeloid leukaemia on patient health-related quality of life. Cancer Treat Rev 2004; 30 (1): 103–117.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
24.Duffner, P K. Long-term effects of radiation therapy on cognitive and endocrine function in children with leukemia and brain tumours. Neurologist 2004; 10 (6): 293–310.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
25.Steffens, M, Beauloye, V, Brichard, Bet al. Endocrine and metabolic disorders in young adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Clin Endocrinol 2008; 69 (5): 819–827.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26.Thomas, I H. Bone mineral density in young adult survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Cancer 2008; 113 (11): 3248–3256.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
27.Baronio, F, Battist, L, Radetti, G. Central hypothyroidism following chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. J Paediatr Endocrinol Metab 2011; 24 (11–12): 903–906.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
28.Ness, K K, Baker, K S, Dengal, D Ret al. Body composition, muscle strength deficits and mobility limitations in adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Paediatr Blood Cancer 2006; 49 (7): 975–981.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
29.Murphy, A J, Wells, J C K, Williams, J E, Fewtrell, M S, Davies, P S W, Webb, D K. Body composition in children in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Am J Clin Nutr 2006; 83 (1): 70–74.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
30.Garmey, E G, Liu, Q, Sklar, C Aet al. Longitudinal changes in obesity and body mass index among adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a report from the childhood cancer survivor study. J Clin Oncol 2008; 26 (28): 4639–4645.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
31.Razzouk, B I, Rose, S R, Hongend, Set al. Obesity in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and lymphoma. J Clin Oncol 2007; 25 (10): 1183–1189.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
32.Jarfelt, M, Fors, H, Lannering, B, Bjarnason, R. Bone mineral density and bone turnover in young adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Eur J Endocrinol 2006; 154 (2): 303–309.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
33.Van Brussel, M, Takken, T, Net, J V Det al. Physical function and fitness in long-term survivors of childhood leukaemia. Paediatr Rehabil 2006; 9 (3): 267–274.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
34.Ness, K K, Hudson, M M, Pui, C H. Neuromuscular impairment in adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: associations with physical performance and chemotherapy doses. Cancer 2012; 118 (3): 828–838.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
35.Galea, V, Wright, M J, Barr, R D. Measurement of balance in survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in childhood. Gait Posture 2004; 19 (1): 1–10.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
36.Florin, T A, Fryer, G E, Miyoshi, Tet al. Physical inactivity in adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a report from the childhood cancer survivor study. Cancer Epidermiol Biomarkers Prev 2007; 16 (7): 1356–1363.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
37.Harila, M J, Winqvist, S, Lanning, M, Bloigu, R, Harila-saari, A H. Progressive neurocognitive impairment in young adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009; 53 (2): 156–161.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
38.Reddick, W E, Shan, Z Y, Glass, J Oet al. Smaller white-matter volumes are associated with larger deficits in attention and learning among long-term survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Cancer 2006; 106 (4): 941–949.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
39.Mennes, M, Stiers, P, Vandenbussche, Eet al. Attention and information processing in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with chemotherapy only. Paediatr Blood Cancer 2005; 44 (5): 479–486.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
40.Buizer, A I, De Sonneville, L M, Van Der Heuvel-Eibrink, M M, Veerman, A J. Chemotherapy and attentional dysfunction in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: effect of treatment intensity. Paediatr Blood Cancer 2005; 45 (3): 281–290.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
41.Jansen, N C, Kingma, A, Schuitema, Aet al. Post-treatment intellectual functioning in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) with chemotherapy-only: A prospective, sibling-controlled study. Eur J Cancer 2006; 42 (16): 2765–2772.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
42.Reinfjell, T, Lofstad, G E, Nordahl, H M, Vikan, A, Diseth, T H. Children in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: mental health, psychosocial adjustment and parental functioning. Eur J Cancer Care 2009; 18 (4): 364–370.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
43.Link, K, Moëll, C, Osterberg, Ket al. Adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with GH deficiency have normal self-rated quality of life but impaired neuropsychological performance 20 years after cranial irradiation. Clin Endocrinol 2006; 65 (5): 617–625.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
44.Reinfjell, T, Lofstad, G E, Veenstra, M, Vikan, A, Diseth, T H. Health-related quality of life and intellectual functioning in children in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Acta Paediatrica 2007; 96 (9): 1280–1285.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
45.Quin, S. The long-term psychosocial effects of cancer diagnosis and treatment on children and their families. Soc Work Health Care 2004; 39 (1): 129–149.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
46.Temming, P, Jenney, M E M. The neurodevelopmental sequelae of childhood leukaemia and its treatment. Arch Dis Child 2010; 95 (11): 936–940.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed