Search

Abstract Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors are at risk for developing subsequent neoplasms, but there is limited information on long-term risks and risk factors for both subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs) and subsequent non-malignant neoplasms (SNMNs). We analyzed long-term risk and risk factors for SMNs and SNMNs among 3291 5-year ALL survivors from the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study-LATER cohort (1963–2014). We calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and cumulative incidences and used multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analyses for analyzing risk factors. A total of 97 survivors developed SMNs and 266 SNMNs. The 30-year cumulative incidence was 4.1% (95%CI: 3.5–5.3) for SMNs and 10.4%(95%CI: 8.9–12.1) for SNMNs. Risk of SMNs was elevated compared to the general population (SIR: 2.6, 95%CI: 2.1–3.1). Survivors treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with total body irradiation (TBI) (HR:4.2, 95%CI: 2.3–7.9), and without TBI (HR:4.0,95%CI: 1.2–13.7) showed increased SMN risk versus non-transplanted survivors. Cranial radiotherapy (CRT) was also a risk factor for SMNs (HR:2.1, 95%CI: 1.4–4.0). In conclusion, childhood ALL survivors have an increased SMN risk, especially after HSCT and CRT. A key finding is that even HSCT-treated survivors without TBI treatment showed an increased SMN risk, possibly due to accompanied chemotherapy treatment. This emphasizes the need for careful follow-up of HSCT and/or CRT-treated survivors.

Abstract Background Healthy behaviors are paramount in preventing long‐term adverse health outcomes in childhood, adolescent, and young adult (CAYA) cancer survivors. We systematically reviewed and synthesized existing literature on barriers, facilitators, and other factors associated with health behaviors in this population. Methods MEDLINE and PsycInfo were searched for qualitative and quantitative studies including survivors aged 16–50 years at study, a cancer diagnosis ≤25 years and ≥2 years post diagnosis. Health behaviors included physical activity, smoking, diet, alcohol consumption, sun exposure, and a combination of these behaviors (defined as health behaviors in general). Results Barriers, facilitators, and other factors reported in ≥2 two studies were considered relevant. Out of 4529 studies, 27 were included (n = 31,905 participants). Physical activity was the most frequently examined behavior (n = 12 studies), followed by smoking (n = 7), diet (n = 7), alcohol (n = 4), sun exposure (n = 4), and health behavior in general (n = 4). Relevant barriers to physical activity were fatigue, lack of motivation, time constraints, and current smoking. Relevant facilitators were perceived health benefits and motivation. Influence of the social environment and poor mental health were associated with more smoking, while increased energy was associated with less smoking. No relevant barriers and facilitators were identified for diet, alcohol consumption, and sun exposure. Barriers to healthy behavior in general were unmet information needs and time constraints whereas lifestyle advice, information, and discussions with a healthcare professional facilitated healthy behavior in general. Concerning other factors, women were more likely to be physically inactive, but less likely to drink alcohol and more likely to comply with sun protection recommendations than men. Higher education was associated with more physical activity, and lower education with more smoking. Conclusion This knowledge can be used as a starting point to develop health behavior interventions, inform lifestyle coaches, and increase awareness among healthcare providers regarding which survivors are most at risk of unhealthy behaviors.

Abstract Background Fatigue is often reported by patients with childhood cancer both during and after cancer treatment. Several instruments to measure fatigue exist, although none are specifically validated for use in childhood cancer survivors (CCS). The aim of the current study was to present norm values and psychometric properties of the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS) and Short Fatigue Questionnaire (SFQ) in a nationwide cohort of CCS. Methods In total, 2073 participants were included from the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (DCCSS) LATER cohort. Normative data, construct validity, structural validity, and internal consistency were calculated for the CIS and SFQ. In addition, reliability and a cutoff score to indicate severe fatigue were determined for the SFQ. Results Correlations between CIS/SFQ and vitality measures asking about fatigue were high (>0.8). Correlations between CIS/SFQ and measures of different constructs (sleep, depressive emotions, and role functioning emotional) were moderate (0.4–0.6). Confirmatory factor analysis resulted in a four‐factor solution for the CIS and a one‐factor solution for the SFQ with Cronbach's alpha for each (sub)scale showing good to excellent values (>0.8). Test–retest reliability of the SFQ was adequate (Pearson's correlation = 0.88; ICC = 0.946; weighted Cohen's kappa item scores ranged 0.31–0.50) and a cut‐off score of 18 showed good sensitivity and specificity scores (92.6% and 91.3%, respectively). Conclusion The current study shows that the SFQ is a good instrument to screen for severe fatigue in CCS. The CIS can be used as a tool to assess the multiple fatigue dimensions in CCS.

Background Plasma biomarkers may aid in the detection of anthracycline‐related cardiomyopathy (ACMP). However, the currently available biomarkers have limited diagnostic value in long‐term childhood cancer survivors. This study sought to identify diagnostic plasma biomarkers for ACMP in childhood cancer survivors. Methods and Results We measured 275 plasma proteins in 28 ACMP cases with left ventricular ejection fraction

Abstract Background A debilitating late effect for childhood cancer survivors (CCS) is cancer-related fatigue (CRF). Little is known about the prevalence and risk factors of fatigue in this population. Here we describe the methodology of the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Late Effect Study on fatigue (DCCSS LATER fatigue study). The aim of the DCCSS LATER fatigue study is to examine the prevalence of and factors associated with CRF, proposing a model which discerns predisposing, triggering, maintaining and moderating factors. Triggering factors are related to the cancer diagnosis and treatment during childhood and are thought to trigger fatigue symptoms. Maintaining factors are daily life- and psychosocial factors which may perpetuate fatigue once triggered. Moderating factors might influence the way fatigue symptoms express in individuals. Predisposing factors already existed before the diagnosis, such as genetic factors, and are thought to increase the vulnerability to develop fatigue. Methodology of the participant inclusion, data collection and planned analyses of the DCCSS LATER fatigue study are presented. Results Data of 1955 CCS and 455 siblings was collected. Analysis of the data is planned and we aim to start reporting the first results in 2022. Conclusion The DCCSS LATER fatigue study will provide information on the epidemiology of CRF and investigate the role of a broad range of associated factors in CCS. Insight in associated factors for fatigue in survivors experiencing severe and persistent fatigue may help identify individuals at risk for developing CRF and may aid in the development of interventions.

Cardiac diseases in the growing population of childhood cancer survivors are of major concern. Cardiotoxicity as a consequence of anthracyclines and chest radiotherapy continues to be relevant in the modern treatment era. Mitoxantrone has emerged as an important treatment-related risk factor and evidence on traditional cardiovascular risk factors in childhood cancer survivors is accumulating. International surveillance guidelines have been developed with the aim to detect and manage cardiac diseases early and prevent symptomatic disease. There is growing interest in risk prediction models to individualize prevention and surveillance. This State-of-the-Art Review summarizes literature from a systematic PubMed search focused on cardiac diseases after treatment for childhood cancer. Here, we discuss the prevalence, risk factors, prevention, risk prediction, and surveillance of cardiac diseases in survivors of childhood cancer.

In echocardiographic surveillance of anthracycline-treated childhood cancer survivors (CCS), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) has insufficient prognostic value for future cardiac events, whereas longitudinal strain may be more sensitive. We describe the long-term incidence of cardiac events in CCS after previous measurement of LVEF and myocardial strain. Echocardiography, including four-chamber view longitudinal strain (4CH-LS), of 116 anthracycline-treated CCS was obtained between 2005–2009 (index echocardiography). Follow-up was obtained at the late-effects clinic. Primary outcome was occurrence of cardiac events, defined as either symptomatic heart failure, life-threatening arrhythmias, LVEF < 40% or cardiac death, in CCS with normal versus abnormal index 4CH-LS. LVEF from subsequent echocardiograms was obtained to evaluate its natural course as a secondary outcome. After index echocardiography (median 13.1 years since childhood cancer diagnosis), our study added a median follow-up of 11.3 years (median last clinical contact 23.6 years since diagnosis). Only three CCS developed a cardiac event (6.2, 6.4 and 6.7 years after index echocardiography), resulting in a ten-year cumulative incidence of 2.7% (95%CI 0.9–8.2). All three CCS had a clearly reduced index 4CH-LS and relevant cardiovascular risk factors, whereas their index LVEFs were around the lower limit of normal. Index LVEF correlated with index 4CH-LS but mean long-term natural course of LVEF was comparable for CCS with abnormal versus normal index 4CH-LS. Absolute 10-year cumulative incidence of cardiac events in anthracycline-treated CCS during long-term follow-up was low. Sensitive echocardiographic measurements, such as 4CH-LS may be useful to tailor surveillance frequency in a selected group of CCS without cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND:Insight in hospitalizations in long-term childhood cancer survivors (CCS) is useful to understand the impact of long-term morbidity. We aimed to investigate hospitalization rates and underlying types of diagnoses in CCS compared to matched controls, and to investigate the determinants. METHODS:We linked 5,650 five-year CCS from the Dutch nationwide Dutch LATER cohort and 109,605 age- and sex-matched controls to the Dutch Hospital Discharge register, which contained detailed information on inpatient hospitalizations from 1995-2016. Relative hospitalization rates (RHRs) were calculated using a Poisson regression model. Adjusting for multiple hospitalizations per person via a Poisson model for generalized estimated equations, we investigated determinants for hospitalizations for all types of underlying diagnoses among CCS. RESULTS:CCS were twice as likely to be hospitalized as reference persons (hospitalization rate 178 and 78 per 1,000 person-years respectively; RHR 2.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9-2.2). Although CCS had more hospitalizations for 17 types of underlying diagnoses, they were especially more likely to be hospitalized for endocrine conditions (RHR: 6.0, 95% CI 4.6-7.7), subsequent neoplasms (RHR: 5.6, 95% CI 4.6-6.7) and symptoms without underlying diagnoses (RHR: 5.2, 95% CI 4.6-5.8). For those types of underlying diagnoses, female sex and radiotherapy were determinants. CONCLUSION:This study provides new insights in the high risk of hospitalizations for many types of underlying diagnoses in CCS and treatment related determinants. CCS are especially at high risk for hospitalizations for endocrine conditions, subsequent neoplasms and symptoms without an underlying diagnosis. This new knowledge is important for survivorship care and to identify possible preventable hospitalizations among CCS.

Survivors of childhood and adult-onset cancer are at lifelong risk for the development of late effects of treatment that can lead to serious morbidity and premature mortality. Regular long-term follow-up aiming for prevention, early detection and intervention of late effects can preserve or improve health. The heterogeneous and often serious character of late effects emphasizes the need for specialized cancer survivorship care clinics. Multidisciplinary cancer survivorship care requires a coordinated and well integrated health care environment for risk based screening and intervention. In addition survivors engagement and adherence to the recommendations are also important elements. We developed an innovative model for integrated care for cancer survivors, the “Personalized Cancer Survivorship Care Model”, that is being used in our clinic. This model comprises 1. Personalized follow-up care according to the principles of Person Centered Care, aiming to empower survivors and to support self management, and 2. Organization according to a multidisciplinary and risk based approach. The concept of person centered care is based on three components: initiating, integrating and safeguarding the partnership with the patient. This model has been developed as a universal model of care that will work for all cancer survivors in different health care systems. It could be used for studies to improve self efficacy and the cost-effectiveness of cancer survivorship care.

Objectives: Childhood cancer may negatively impact childhood cancer survivors' (CCS) sexuality. However, this is an understudied area of research. Our study aimed to describe the psychosexual development, sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction of CCS, compare these outcomes to the Dutch population and identify determinants for CCS' sexuality. Methods: From the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study LATER cohort (diagnosed 1963-2001), 1912 CCS (18-71 years, 50.8% male) completed questions on sexuality, psychosocial development, body perception, mental and physical health. Sexuality of CCS age 18-24 was compared to the general Dutch population using binominal tests and t-tests. Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify determinants. Results: Compared to general population peers, CCS age 18-24 showed significantly less experience with masturbation (p=.045), French kissing (p=.007), petting under clothes (p=.001), oral (p=.008) and anal sex (p=.016). No significant differences were found for problems with sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction neither among female CCS nor male CCS when compared to peers age 18-24. One third of all CCS reported hindered sexuality due to childhood cancer, with body dissatisfaction most often mentioned reason (44.8%). The regression analysis identified older attained age, body perception, lower mental health and surviving central nervous system tumors as determinants for reduced sexuality. Conclusions: CSS reported less psychosexual development, but similar sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction compared to the general population. We identified determinants for sexuality, which could be integrated in specific communication training for health professionals and development of clinical interventions for CSS with reduced sexuality. Conflicts of Interest: No conflict of intrest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]