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The announcement of a cancer diagnosis is a crucial moment in the management of the disease, as it is the starting point for a relationship of trust between patient and caregiver. In 2005, this issue led to the creation of an announcement system as part of the 2003-2007 cancer plan, but its implementation in practice remains uncertain. Pediatric oncology has its own specificities, with a triangular relationship and the need for doctors to adapt to the child's age. These skills require special training, and training opportunities vary from one area to another. To this end, the Angers and Caen centers have developed simulation exercises for training in pediatric oncology announcement. These consist of a theoretical part, followed by an announcement interview with actors, then a debriefing. Evaluation questionnaires are completed by learners before and after the session, and have highlighted the usefulness of this training, particularly in helping them to feel better prepared to face this stressful moment. As simulation has proved its educational value in the healthcare field, GOCE has developed simulation-based training courses for interns/CCAs/assistants in the territory. These courses are much appreciated and are proving extremely useful in clinical practice. This has led the SFCE to extend these courses to all CCAs and young PHs in pediatric oncology in France., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Objective: The announcement of a resistance to treatment in pediatric oncology occurs within the framework of an established parent-pediatrician relationship. The aim of this study was to understand the parents' experience of this announcement and the relational and communicational factors likely to impact it., Method: A mixed-methods study was conducted in a pediatric oncology department with 15 parents of a child with treatment-resistant cancer, with an average age of 40.8years. The parents completed three questionnaires to assess their anxiety and depression (HADS) and their information needs (EORTC - QLQ Info 25 and PTPQ). Semi-structured interviews were conducted and a content analysis was performed., Results: The majority of parents have "suspected" or "proven" anxiety and/or depressive disorders. The experience of this announcement was influenced by the quality of the parent-pediatrician relationship, the perceived quality of the management, the anticipation of the announcement, the context of the announcement, and the experience of previous announcements. The parents interviewed were very satisfied with the informational exchanges. This satisfaction was underpinned by honest communication and by the responsiveness and availability of the pediatricians., Discussion: The establishment of a relationship of trust between the family and the pediatrician throughout the course of care plays a major role in the parents' experience of the announcement of resistance to treatment., (Copyright © 2023 Société Française du Cancer. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Caring for a child or adolescent with cancer remains a perilous professional exercise. Caregivers are not only subject to high technical demands (oncological treatments, surgery and resuscitation, rehabilitation and equipment) but also to an emotional and relational involvement inherent to their function. However, the regulation and transformation of affects mobilize a great deal of psychic energy in professionals who must preserve their internal resources as best they can. The point of view of the clinical psychologist will shed light on the mechanisms to be considered in order to support the capacity of the teams to care for and accompany sick children and their families throughout the care process., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Organization of health care of a patient followed in pediatric oncology is not limited to cancer treatment. It includes a whole range of supportive care. Some are common to the supportive care offered in adult oncology, such as pain management and nutritional support. However, there are pediatric specificities. Others are more peculiar to children, such as education and information for young patients, and require a specific framework and innovative tools. The young age of patients and the improvement in survival rates in pediatric oncology also lead to questioning the temporality of supportive care by considering access to supportive care beyond the active phase of the disease. This review explains some of these different specificities: information and communication to the patient and his parents, assessment and management of pain, nutritional support but also schooling, long-term follow-up and screening sequelae induced by the disease and its treatments., (Copyright © 2022 Société Française du Cancer. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The objective was to evaluate health care providers' (HCP) adherence to and efficacy of varicella post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) recommendations. It was an observational, prospective, multicenter study set in Ile-de-France, France., Methods: All children under 18 with a cancer diagnosis, currently or within 3months of receiving cancer treatment, regardless of varicella zoster virus (VZV) serostatus or previous personal history of varicella, were eligible. Study participants with significant exposure were reviewed prospectively for PEP indications. Main outcome measures were the percentage of exposure situations for which HCP were guideline-compliant, the proportion of available VZV serostatuses and the incidence of breakthrough varicella after different PEP approaches., Results: A total of 51 patients from 15 centers were enrolled after 52 exposure episodes. Median age at exposure was 5 years (range, 1-15). Exposure within the household led to 38% of episodes. Prophylactic treatment consisted in specific anti-VZV immunoglobulins (V-ZIG) (n=19) or in oral aciclovir (n=15). No prophylactic treatment was given for 18 patients (in compliance, n=16). In compliance with guidelines, 17 patients received V-ZIG, 11 did not develop varicella (65%, [95% CI, 39-90%]); 15 received aciclovir, 13 did not develop varicella (87%, [95% CI, 67-100%]). Breakthrough varicella occurred in 11 patients, with simple clinical course in all cases; in 8/47 (17%) episodes when PEP was guideline-compliant versus 3/5 (60%) when not., Discussion: Recommendations have been respected and are efficient. PEP needs to be standardized and a study carried out to define the optimal approach. Anti-VZV immunization of seronegative family members should be encouraged., (Copyright © 2022 Société Française du Cancer. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

This literature review aims to explain how the emotions aroused by the announcement of bad news in pediatric oncology affect communication between parents and pediatric oncologists. In the first part, we summarize the parents' expectations regarding communication with the pediatrician at this critical time in their child's care. Then, in a second part, we specify the influence that the emotions of pediatric oncologists and parents during these announcements can have on parent-pediatrician communication. In this context, the emotions and defense mechanisms of pediatric oncologists, parental distress as expressed by parents and as perceived or feared by pediatricians, are discussed. For this synthesis, we have endeavoured to select studies including both mothers and fathers. On the basis of the observations carried out in this review, we conclude by suggesting avenues for the practical implications and for future research. The continuation of research including both parents appears necessary to allow for a closer adaptation of the reactions and needs of each parent, particularly at key moments in the child's care, such as the announcement of bad news. Encouraging exchanges on the emotions felt within the medical and care team, particularly with the department psychologist, could be an opportunity for pediatricians to question their experience of the announcement of bad news and could promote the circulation of emotions in the parent-pediatrician relationship and communication., (Copyright © 2021 Société Française du Cancer. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Antineoplastic drug induced nausea and vomiting are common adverse events in cancer care of paediatric patients ; therefore, prevention and management of these adverse events is a major concern for healthcare professionals. There are common features between paediatric and adult patients in terms of the emetogenic level depending on antineoplastic agents or about available medicines. However, there are also specificities for paediatric population including individual risk factors of emesis or nausea assessment for example. Knowledge relative to available medicines is also limited in the paediatric population, especially for recent medicines. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview about antiemetics in paediatric oncology to clinicians and other healthcare professionals involved in paediatric cancer care. First of all, we describe physiopathological paediatric specificity, risk factors and clinical assessment of antineoplastic drug induced nausea and vomiting. Secondly, we focus on available medicines and also address the issue of complementary and alternative medicines., (Copyright © 2020 Société Française du Cancer. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in children with cancer is commonly used. However, studies and data on this topic are still scarce in France., Methods: Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of CAM usage in pediatric cancer patients and describe the modality of use. Our study population comprised children and young people treated from 2011 to 2012 in 2 French centers (Nantes, Paris). An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was addressed to families and data was collected from them and from the medical record., Results: Out of the 202 patients selected for the study, 111 families answered the questionnaire (55%). Fifty-four (48.6%) of respondents reported CAM used. Forty-seven (87%) patients used CAM during initial therapy of cancer. Thirty-two (59.3%) of them talked about their CAM usage with health professionals, whose 25 (75.8%) with their oncologist. The three most common therapies used were homeopathy (75.8%), chiropractic (31.5%) and faith healing (42.6%). The main reason for the use of CAM was to control the side effects of conventional treatment (85.2%). Overall perceived satisfaction was rated 7.4/10., Conclusion: The prevalence of complementary and alternative medicines administration is high, even if scientific evidence is limited regarding the effects, mechanisms of action and security of CAM. Research is necessary to improve the communication and council quality to the family, optimize supportive cares and reinforce the pharmacovigilance., (Copyright © 2019 Société Française du Cancer. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The medical-psycho-socio-educational characteristics of adolescents and young adults affected by cancer require adapted management. Dedicated programmes and life spaces, as well as the availability of a mobile and transversal multidisciplinary team allow care to be customised. In this context, the coordinating nurse is an essential linchpin in the care team., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Increased survival of patients with childhood cancer has resulted in a growing population of survivors. In France approximately 50,000 alive people have been treated before 20 years old and, as survivors, are at risk for health problems due to disease or cancer therapy (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy). Complications such as cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease (after radiotherapy or chemotherapy), neurocognitive deficiency, endocrine disorders (hypopituitary axis, or thyroid dysfunction), gonadal function, and second malignancy can be life-threatening and seriously affect quality of life. Upon discharge former patients should be given 'passport', containing a summary of their medical history, treatment (surgery, chemotherapy cumulative doses, characteristics of radiotherapy and organs involved), methods used to preserve fertility, and complications during treatment. Treatments can then be linked to individualized recommendations for follow-up care. The risk of developing long-term complications increases with time and can be aggravated by age-related comorbidity and environmental factors (tobacco, alcohol, obesity). Many regions and treatment centres in France have in place organised long-term follow-up procedures., (Copyright © 2015 Société Française du Cancer. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)