For 5-year-old daughter, getting the all-clear from high-risk neuroblastoma in 2010 brought immense relief. However, pediatric oncologists acknowledge that long-term survivor care poses its own set of challenges.
The National Cancer Institute estimates that nearly 15,000 children and adolescents under 19 were diagnosed with a form of pediatric cancer in 2024, with about 1,600 passing away last year. While the survival rate is encouraging, survivors often endure toxic treatments that can lead to chronic health conditions.
By age 50, childhood cancer survivors have almost twice as many chronic health conditions as the general population, according to a St. Jude Life cohort study. Unique challenges include growth spurts and puberty while undergoing treatment, as well as a higher risk of post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, and secondary cancers.
To address these issues, the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Study has informed randomized control trials and created tools that assess future disease risks based on cancer type and treatments used. The Children’s Oncology Group (COG) has established best-practice guidelines for survivor care, including recommendations for healthcare professionals to break down complex details.
However, many survivors don’t receive follow-up care, and doctors acknowledge the need for persuading older patients that it’s not too late to begin survivorship care. New tools, such as Passport for Care, an online resource providing detailed treatment information, are being developed to support survivors.
Pediatric oncologists aim to improve protocols of care, similar to their success with acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL), by measuring and identifying areas for improvement. For one patient, Emily, who followed a neuroblastoma trial involving two stem cell transplants, doctors have seen significant post-treatment issues despite improved survival rates.
The lifetime cost for kids treated for cancer cannot be overstated, emphasizing the need for better outcomes for this demographic. Pediatric oncologists are advocating for improved care to recognize the unique challenges faced by childhood cancer survivors and provide them with the support they deserve.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/05/25/pediatric-cancer-survivors-chemo