Cancer News: Childhood
Diet and exercise improve outcomes for obese childhood cancer patients
A study has shown that paediatric cancer patients who are obese may have improved treatment outcomes if they follow a diet and exercise.
First gene therapy approved, for acute lymphoblastic leukemia
The US FDA has approved the first gene therapy for use against a type of blood cancer in the United States.
Childhood cancer survivors lack a balanced diet
Childhood cancer survivors tend to have a poor diet during their adult life. This can lead to a higher risk of developing serious illnesses.
Chemotherapy with topotecan deals better with retinoblastoma
Topotecan-based triple-drug chemotherapy as a first line therapy can be used for patients with retinoblastoma.
Pediatric cancer: dexrazoxane against chemo-related heart damage
The cardioprotective drug dexrazoxane may prevent the chemotherapy-related heart damage of children with cancer treated with anthracyclines, data reveal.
Childhood cancer survivors in risk of endocrine disorders
Childhood cancer survivors face the risk of an increased risk for a variety of health disorders, including endocrine abnormalities, a review showed.
Better patient outcomes with stem-cell transplant in neuroblastoma
Adding a second autologous stem-cell transplant to treatment improved outcomes for children with high-risk neuroblastoma, a new research shows.
Childhood cancer survivor and parent: more likely for women
Female childhood cancer survivors are more likely to have children than male survivors, a new study reveals.
Childhood leukemia survivors at risk for learning problems
Pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients treated with chemotherapy alone remain at risk for attention and learning problems later, researchers report.
Proton radiotherapy gives hope to childhood brain cancer patients
Treatment with proton radiotherapy in childhood brain cancer resulted in fewer side effects and similar survival rates as conventional radiotherapy.
Young adult and adolescent cancer survivors worry about fertility
A new study reveals that young adult and adolescent cancer survivors, especially men, worry about their fertility and genetic risk factors.
Treatment changes to childhood cancer extend survivors lives
Changes in pediatric cancer therapy led to decreased death rate and treatment-related death rate in childhood cancer survivors, evidence shows.
Childhood cancer treatments linked to heart damage
A new study reveals that childhood cancer treatments, such as certain chemotherapy and radiation, may increase the risk of heart damage in cancer survivors.
What challenges do survivors of childhood or young adult cancer face?
Two recent clinical studies shed light on the health challenges faced by survivors of childhood or young adult cancer.
Chemotherapy linked to long-term neurocognitive deficits
Neuroscientists report that permanent hearing loss resulting from chemotherapy may contribute to long-term neurocognitive deficits in pediatric brain tumor survivors.
The economic impact on families of children with cancer
The results of new study show that almost one-third of families of children with cancer face difficulties in meeting food, housing and energy needs during treatment.
Childhood cancer survivors face risk of recurrent stroke
Childhood cancer survivors are at a greater risk of suffering a stroke. These findings will lead to secondary stroke prevention strategies in high-risk patients.
Less intensive chemotherapy recommended for children’s cancer
A 10-year trial reveals that children with Wilms’ tumor can avoid doxorubicin, an intensive chemotherapy for this rare type of cancer, without risking their survival.
Lasting sexual effects of treatment in young-adult cancer survivors
Young-adult cancer survivors described a variety of physical and psychological problems related to sexuality in survey conducted to inform sexual health communication issues.
Childhood cancer linked to adult obesity
Children who survived cancer may be at increased risk of being obese as adults due to the therapies they received during their youth, scientists say.
After childhood cancer, survivors may suffer from chronic conditions
A study of survivors of childhood cancer in the USA showed increasing numbers, but also many of them having at least one chronic health condition.
New drug approval for pediatric neuroblastoma
The FDA has authorized dinutuximab (Unituxin) for the treatment of pediatric patients of high-risk neuroblastoma.
Chest radiation for Wilms tumor increases breast cancer risk
A study shows that when a child receives chest radiation for Wilms tumor (a rare childhood cancer), it faces an increased risk of breast cancer later in life.
Fertility preservation in male childhood cancer patients
A study has found the chemotherapy dose level, below which male childhood cancer survivors are likely to have normal sperm production.
Childhood cancer death rates drop by more than 20% in 10 years in the UK
The rate of children dying from cancer has dropped by 22% in the last decade, according to new figures published by Cancer Research UK.
Childhood cancer survivors are not always healthier adults
People who have survived cancer as a child do not always lead a healthier lifestyle once they are adults. For instance, they eat less healthy than their peers.
Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): 2 genes found involved
Scientists discovered mutations in genes that lead to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), by analyzing DNA samples of patients across disease stages.
Some childhood cancer survivors may face subsequent renal problems
Adult survivors of childhood cancers who underwent certain chemotherapy treatments or kidney surgery had worse kidney function that did not recover over time. Because of this, they may be at higher risk for premature renal failure, according to a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Proton Therapy Cuts Side Effects for Pediatric Head, Neck Cancer Patients
The precise targeting and limited dosing of radiation via proton therapy is proving to be an advantage in ongoing efforts to reduce treatment side effects among head and neck cancer patients, according to a new study of pediatric patients from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The results were presented Monday at the 55th annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) conference.
For childhood cancer survivors, preventable risk factors pose serious threat to heart health
For childhood cancer survivors, risk factors associated with lifestyle, particularly hypertension, dramatically increase the likelihood of developing serious heart problems as adults, according to a national study led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The findings appear in the current issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.