Resource that Benefit Families

 

 

I read this article on the effect of Chemotherapy in younger children. It stated that children are given a combination of chemotherapy drugs. Children are given the number of drugs depending on the type of cancer or leukaemia they have. The doctors will discuss with the families  which drugs are being used and when they’ll be given. The article stated that children are at risk for developing long-term side effects, also called late effects, from cancer treatment. Late effects can occur months or years after cancer treatment ends. With more than 80% of children treated for cancer surviving for five years or more after treatment, preventing and recognizing physical and emotional late effects is an important part of cancer care. Late effects can be physical or emotional.  Not every child will develop all of these long-term side effects; it depends on the type of treatment a child had and their age when treated. They could have reproductive and sexual development problems. Boys and girls are both at risk for these problems. In boys, radiation therapy to the brain, testicles, or abdomen may cause infertility (the inability to father a child), as can chemotherapy with alkylating agents, such as cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide. These treatments may also change levels of testosterone (a male hormone), which can affect puberty and sexual functioning. And  in girls, particularly those who have begun menstruation, chemotherapy and radiation therapy to the abdomen, pelvis, lower spine, or head can affect the ovaries, causing infertility (inability to conceive a child or maintain a pregnancy), irregular menstruation, and premature menopause. For both boys and girls, radiation therapy to the head can affect various glands that regulate the male and female hormone levels, which could affect fertility. Finally, the article stated that they can also experience growth, development, and hormone problems. Cancer treatments may affect the endocrine system, a group of hormone-producing glands that controls body functions, such as growth, energy, and puberty.

 

 

 

 

 

Late Effects of Childhood Cancer

www.cancer.net › Navigating Cancer Care