Pediatric Cancer: A Comprehensive Review. Part I: Biology,Epidemiology,Common Tumours,Principles of Treatment and Late Effects

Abstract

The incidence rates of pediatric cancer, like adult cancer, are increasing, though to a lesser degree. Options for the treatment of childhood cancers are continually changing and improving and overall survival has increased dramatically over the last 60 years. This paper discusses the incidence and survival trends of childhood cancer. The biology and epidemiology of the most common cancers seen in children and the late effects of treatment for childhood cancer will also be discussed. A basic understanding of childhood cancer is important for both hospital and community pharmacists, since many young adults in North America are now survivors of childhood cancer and may experience long-term consequences of chemotherapy.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Grouse

. Pediatric brain tumours. National Cancer Institute. Benchmarks. April 26, 2005. Available: http://benchmarks.cancer.gov/2005/04/pediatric-brain-tumors/ (accessed June 2, 2010).

National Cancer Institute. Childhood cancers. NCI FactSheet. Available: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/childhood (accessed June 2, 2010).

Ries

LAG

Percy

Bunin

. Introduction. In: Ries

LAG

Smith

Gurney

(eds). Cancer incidence and survival among children and adolescents: United States SEER Program 1975–1995. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute; 1999. p. 1–15. Available: http://seer.cancer.gov/publications/childhood/introduction.pdf (accessed June 2, 2010).

Canadian Cancer Society/National Cancer Institute of Canada. Canadian cancer statistics 2008. Toronto (ON): Canadian Cancer Society/National Cancer Institute of Canada; 2008. Available: www.cancer.ca/Canada-wide/About%20cancer/Cancer%20statistics/∼/media/CCS/Canada%20wide/Files%20List/English%20files%20heading/pdf%20not%20in%20publications%20section/Canadian%20Cancer%20Society%20Statistics%20PDF%202008_614137951.ashx (accessed June 2, 2010).

Canadian Cancer Society. Progress in cancer control over the past few decades. Available: www.cancer.ca/canada-wide/about%20cancer/cancer%20statistics/canadian%20cancer%20statistics/special%20topics/progress%20in%20cancer%20control%20over%20the%20past%20few%20decades.aspx?sc_lang=en (accessed June 2, 2010).

Ries

LAG

. Childhood cancer mortality. In: Ries

LAG

Smith

Gurney

. (eds). Cancer incidence and survival among children and adolescents: United States SEER Program 1975–1995. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute; 1999. p. 165–9. Available: http://seer.cancer.gov/publications/child-hood/mortality.pdf (accessed June 2, 2010).

Childhood cancer by site: incidence, survival and mortality. In: Altekruse

Kosary

Krapcho

. (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975–2007. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute; 2009. p. 5. Available: http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2007/results_merged/sect_28_childhood_cancer.pdf (accessed June 2, 2010).

Pizzo

Poplack

. Principles and practice of pediatric oncology. 5th ed. Philadelphia (PA): Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2006.

Devita

Hellman

Rosenberg

. Cancer: principles and practice of oncology. 8th ed. Philadelphia (PA): Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008.

10.

Smith

Gurney

Ries

LAG

. Cancer among adolescents 15–19 years old. In: Ries

LAG

Smith

Gurney

(eds). Cancer incidence and survival among children and adolescents: United States SEER Program 1975–1995. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute; 1999. p. 157–64. Available: http://seer.cancer.gov/publications/childhood/adolescents.pdf (accessed June 2, 2010).

11.

Canadian Cancer Society. Canadian cancer statistics 2009. Cancer in adolescents and young adults. Toronto (ON): Canadian Cancer Society; 2009. p. 68–88.

12.

Maeda

. Late effects of childhood cancer: Life-threatening issues. J Nippon Sch 2008;75:320–24.

13.

Landier

Bhatia

. Cancer survivorship: A pediatric perspective. Oncologist 2008;13:1181–92.