Childhood Cancer Survivorship

Only more recently has it been realized that the intense effort to care for and cure a child with cancer does not end with survival. Continued surveillance and a variety of interventions may, in many cases, be needed to identify and care for consequences of treatment that can appear early or only after several decades and impair survivors' health and quality of life. The more than two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors who experience late effects—that is, complications, disabilities, or adverse outcomes—as a result of their disease, its treatment, or both, are the focus of this report which outlines a comprehensive policy agenda that links improved health care delivery and follow-up, investments in education and training for health care providers, and expanded research to improve the long-term outlook for this growing population now exceeding 270,000 Americans. Table of ContentsFront MatterSummary1. Introduction2. The Epidemiology of Childhood Cancer3. The Trajectory of Childhood Cancer Care4. Late Effects of Childhood Cancer5. Delivering Survivorship Care6. Assuring Appropriate Educational Support Services7. Employment, Insurance, and Economic Issues8. Research Issues9. Findings and Recommendations