Over the past several decades, increased survival for childhood cancer has become a reality due the improvements of multimodal treatments. Survival rates have increased and many children are becoming long-term survivors of cancer. Nevertheless, these children carry a potential risk of significant side effects which may result in multiorgan impairment and deterioration of their quality of life. Side effects of commonly used pediatric cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, can include nausea, vomiting, mucositis, cardiotoxicity, neurocognitive impairment, neuropathy, musculoskeletal morbidity, and endocrine dysfunction. The onset of these side effects can be acute or chronic, having the potential to result in a severe disabling, life-threatening or fatal illness, such as a cardiovascular disease, stroke, pulmonary fibrosis, kidney failure, or even a second malignancy.
Studies are needed to integrate emerging information on patient susceptibility and treatment
with established clinical risk factors. Novel interventions aimed at reducing acute side effects, as well as the long-term burden on survivors who are at most risk from treatment related side effects, are also required. Multidisciplinary collaboration between primary care providers, oncologists, and other medical specialists is integral to the successful implementation of these interventions.
For this Research Topic, we would like to include Original Research and Review articles that focus on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of acute and long-term side effects in children treated for cancer. Topics will include both basic science and clinical research with a strong focus on, but not limited to, the following:
1. Emerging strategies in symptom management.
2. Impact of cancer treatment on children’s mental and social well-being.
3. Pediatric cardiac, cardiovascular, hearing, renal, and respiratory complications.
4. Pathophysiology of common side effects including nausea, vomiting, mucositis, endocrine system problems, and neurocognitive sequelae.
5. Childhood bone metabolism and health.
Over the past several decades, increased survival for childhood cancer has become a reality due the improvements of multimodal treatments. Survival rates have increased and many children are becoming long-term survivors of cancer. Nevertheless, these children carry a potential risk of significant side effects which may result in multiorgan impairment and deterioration of their quality of life. Side effects of commonly used pediatric cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, can include nausea, vomiting, mucositis, cardiotoxicity, neurocognitive impairment, neuropathy, musculoskeletal morbidity, and endocrine dysfunction. The onset of these side effects can be acute or chronic, having the potential to result in a severe disabling, life-threatening or fatal illness, such as a cardiovascular disease, stroke, pulmonary fibrosis, kidney failure, or even a second malignancy.
Studies are needed to integrate emerging information on patient susceptibility and treatment
with established clinical risk factors. Novel interventions aimed at reducing acute side effects, as well as the long-term burden on survivors who are at most risk from treatment related side effects, are also required. Multidisciplinary collaboration between primary care providers, oncologists, and other medical specialists is integral to the successful implementation of these interventions.
For this Research Topic, we would like to include Original Research and Review articles that focus on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of acute and long-term side effects in children treated for cancer. Topics will include both basic science and clinical research with a strong focus on, but not limited to, the following:
1. Emerging strategies in symptom management.
2. Impact of cancer treatment on children’s mental and social well-being.
3. Pediatric cardiac, cardiovascular, hearing, renal, and respiratory complications.
4. Pathophysiology of common side effects including nausea, vomiting, mucositis, endocrine system problems, and neurocognitive sequelae.
5. Childhood bone metabolism and health.
