Longitudinal development of cancer-related fatigue and physical activity in childhood cancer patients.

Purpose: Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most distressing side effects of childhood cancer treatment. Physical activity can decrease fatigue and has positive effects on other health outcomes. Most research on physical activity pertains to adults, and the few studies that focus on children have limited follow-up time.

Effects of a combined physical and psychosocial training for children with cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Physical fitness and psychosocial function is often reduced in children during or shortly after cancer treatment. This study evaluates the effect of a combined physical exercise and psychosocial intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, body composition, psychosocial function and health-related quality of life (HrQoL). In addition, intervention mediators, applicability and adherence were examined.

Physical exercise training interventions for children and young adults during and after treatment for childhood cancer.

Background: A decreased physical fitness has been reported in patients and survivors of childhood cancer. This is influenced by the negative effects of the disease and the treatment of childhood cancer. Exercise training for adult cancer patients has frequently been reported to improve physical fitness.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity in children with cancer.

Purpose: This study assessed cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), physical activity (PA), and sedentary behavior (SB), as well as factors associated with these outcomes in children during or shortly after cancer treatment.

Methods: Cross-sectionally, CRF data, obtained by the cardiopulmonary exercise test, and PA and SB data, obtained by an accelerometer, were assessed in children with cancer (8-18 years old). Linear regression models were used to determine associations between CRF, PA, or SB and patient characteristics.

Effects of a combined physical and psychosocial intervention program for childhood cancer patients on quality of life and psychosocial functioning: results of the QLIM randomized clinical trial.

Objective: Although survival rates in childhood cancer have improved, prevention and reduction of late effects remain important. This study evaluates the effects of a combined physical exercise and psychosocial intervention on health-related quality of life (HrQoL) and psychosocial functioning in childhood cancer patients.

Methods: In this multicenter randomized controlled trial, cancer patients (aged 8-18 years) and their parents filled in questionnaires on HrQoL, depressive symptoms, behavioral problems, and self-esteem.

No efficacy for silicone gel sheeting in prevention of abnormal scar formation in children with cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Placement of a totally implantable venous access device in children with cancer often leads to hypertrophic scars after its removal. This study investigates whether the use of silicone gel sheets has a beneficial effect on scar outcome in children with cancer.

Methods: In a three-arm randomized controlled trial, the effects of use of silicone gel sheets for 2 and 6 months were assessed and compared with no intervention in children with cancer after removal of the totally implantable venous access device.

Applicability and evaluation of a psychosocial intervention program for childhood cancer patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the applicability of a psychosocial intervention in childhood cancer patients.

Methods: This individualized structured psychosocial program to enhance social-emotional functioning and coping with disease-related effects includes six sessions for children and two sessions for parents. This program was part of a combined intervention with physical exercise.

Factors influencing childhood cancer patients to participate in a combined physical and psychosocial intervention program: Quality of Life in Motion.

Background: For a multi-center randomized trial investigating the effects of a 12-week physical and psychosocial intervention program for children with cancer, we invited 174 patients (8-18 years old) on treatment or within 1 year after treatment; about 40% participated. Reasons for non-participation were investigated.

Methods: Eligible patients received written and verbal information about the study.

Physical exercise training interventions for children and young adults during and after treatment for childhood cancer.

Background: A decreased physical fitness and impaired social functioning has been reported in patients and survivors of childhood cancer. This is influenced by the negative effects of disease and treatment of childhood cancer and by behavioural and social elements. Exercise training for adults during or after cancer therapy has frequently been reported to improve physical fitness and social functioning.

Totally implantable venous access device in children with cancer lead to disfiguring scar.

Background: In pediatric cancer patients scars of totally implantable venous access devices (TIVAD) are often widened and hypertrophic. This study report on the prevalence and deviation of abnormal scarring in children with a TIVAD and to describe the influencing factors for this abnormal scarring.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study scars of 122 childhood cancer patients (age 1-21 years) were evaluated; 72 patients had a TIVAD in-situ and in 50 the TIVAD had been removed.

Evaluation of a patient information website for childhood cancer survivors.

Purpose: Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are in need of specialized information about late effects of treatment. In the current study, we assessed the perceived usability and satisfaction with the content of a national website with information on late effects and analyzed possible determinants related to website usability and content satisfaction.

Methods: CCS and their parents were contacted through our local follow-up program and via online media to complete an online questionnaire regarding their baseline characteristics, medical decision style, and the usability and content of the website.

Malignant melanoma as second malignant neoplasm in long-term childhood cancer survivors: a systematic review.

This systematic review provides information on malignant melanoma as second malignant neoplasm (SMN) after childhood cancer and evaluates its risk factors. Study reports describing incidences of SMN and malignant melanoma as SMN in a population of childhood cancer survivors (CCS) were included. Of 151,575 CCS, 4,010 (2.

Design of the Quality of Life in Motion (QLIM) study: a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a combined physical exercise and psychosocial training program to improve physical fitness in children with cancer.

Background: Childhood cancer and its treatment have considerable impact on a child's physical and mental wellbeing. Especially long-term administration of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy impairs physical fitness both during and after therapy, when children often present with muscle weakness and/or low cardiorespiratory fitness. Physical exercise can improve these two elements of physical fitness, but the positive effects of physical exercise might be further increased when a child's wellbeing is simultaneously enhanced by psychosocial training.

Health information needs of childhood cancer survivors and their family.

Background: Knowledge about past disease, treatment, and possible late effects has previously been shown to be low in survivors of childhood cancer and their relatives. This study investigated the information needs of childhood cancer survivors and their parents and explored possible determinants for differences in information need and health-related Internet use.

Procedure: Childhood cancer survivors or their parents were contacted to complete a questionnaire about their characteristics, Internet use and requirements/expectations of a website on late effects (N = 160).

Beta-trace protein is not superior to cystatin C for the estimation of GFR in patients receiving corticosteroids.

Objectives: Comparison of the effect of corticosteroid therapy on the diagnostic performance of cystatin C (Cys) and beta-trace protein (bTP), two endogenous markers of GFR.

Design And Methods: Out of a total of 193 pediatric inulin clearance studies, a random sample of 85 steroid-free studies served to establish GFR prediction equations (eGFR), which were used to compare the remaining 76 steroid-free and 32 steroid-positive studies (median prednisone dose 33.0 mg m(-2) day(-1)).