Surveillance cardiopulmonary exercise testing can risk-stratify childhood cancer survivors: underlying pathophysiology of poor exercise performance and possible room for improvement.

Background: Asymptomatic childhood cancer survivors (CCS) frequently show decreased exercise performance. Poor exercise performance may indicate impaired future cardiovascular health.

Methods: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was performed in asymptomatic off-treatment CCS (age ≥ 10 years).

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Characterizes Silent Cardiovascular Abnormalities in Asymptomatic Pediatric Cancer Survivors.

Late-onset cardiovascular complications are serious concerns for pediatric cancer survivors (PCS) including those who are asymptomatic. We investigated whether cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) can delineate the underlying pathophysiology of preclinical cardiovascular abnormalities in PCS. We examined CPET data via cycle ergometer in asymptomatic PCS with normal echocardiogram and age-matched controls.

Comparing the Knowledge of Parents and Survivors Who Attend a Survivorship Clinic.

Background: This study underscores the importance of the survivor/parent dynamic in understanding the knowledge level of childhood cancer survivors and their parents with regard to cancer diagnosis, treatments, and potential late effects, and to assess the impact of parental knowledge on survivor's knowledge.

Procedure: A convenience sample (N = 219 dyads) consisting of childhood cancer survivors with a parent match was used. Survivors 2 years out from completion of therapy, aged 16 to 25 years, and fluent in English or Spanish completed 2 questionnaires to assess adolescent and young adult and parental knowledge regarding diagnosis, treatment, and long-term risks.

Identifying Barriers Among Childhood Cancer Survivors Transitioning to Adult Health Care.

The aim of this study was to identify and describe barriers of young adult childhood cancer survivors transitioning to adult health care within 5 years of leaving a pediatric oncology practice. Several barriers have been identified in the literature, but other obstacles as to why this vulnerable population may be avoiding health care are unknown. This is a descriptive pilot study of a convenience sample of childhood cancer survivors, currently 20 to 25 years of age, who were diagnosed at less than 21 years of age.

Parental follow-through of neuropsychological recommendations for childhood-cancer survivors.

In the past 40 years, outcomes for children with cancer have changed considerably. The survival rate has increased to approximately 80%. With success and survival come detriments that often occur over time called late effects of cancer treatment.