Osteopenia, physical activity and health-related quality of life in survivors of brain tumors treated in childhood

Cancer-Related Worry as a Predictor of 5-yr Physical Activity Level in Childhood Cancer Survivors

PURPOSE

Cancer-related worry (CRW; concerns related to cancer and its late effects) is prevalent among childhood cancer survivors. Elevated CRW has been associated with self-reported suboptimal physical activity. The aim of this investigation was to describe associations between CRW and objectively assessed physical activity in childhood cancer survivors.

METHODS

CRW was assessed at a baseline evaluation using six survey items. Weekly minutes of moderate and vigorous physical activity were captured by actigraphy 5.25 (3.8-8.0) yr later. Factor analysis was used to identify types of worry; multiple regression determined independent associations between CRW and moderate and vigorous physical activity adjusting for sex, race, diagnosis, age at baseline, anxiety level at baseline, self-reported physical activity at baseline, and pain interference at baseline.

RESULTS

Participants ( n = 1223) were an average of 30.9 (SD, 6.9) yr at baseline and 36.1 (SD, 7.1) yr at follow-up. Thirty-seven percent were survivors of leukemia, 26% of non-CNS solid tumors, 19% of lymphoma, 11% of CNS tumors, and 6% of other malignancies. Two types of CRW were identified: "body-focused" and "general fear." Body-focused CRW ( β = -19.6, P = 0.012), endorsing pain interference ( β = -27.7, P = 0.002) at baseline, and having a diagnosis of CNS tumor ( β = -41.3, P = 0.0003) or non-CNS solid tumor ( β = -19.4, P = 0.02) were negatively associated with physical activity at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

CRW related to bodily function and appearance is associated with decreased physical activity. Clinicians should consider the potential negative impact of CRW on physical activity levels and provide behavioral counseling.

The role of nutrition in children with cancer

In recent years, the influence of nutrition on the health and growth of children has become increasingly important. The relevance of nutrition is even greater for children who are facing cancer. Malnutrition, within the context of undernutrition and overnutrition, may impact not only the effectiveness of treatments and outcomes, but also the quality of life for patients and their families. In this article, we review nutritional assessment methods for children with cancer, focusing on the specific characteristics of this population and analyze the efficacy of nutritional interventions, which include enteral, parenteral, and nutritional education. From our analysis, two important conclusions emerged: i) there is a need to focus our attention on the nutritional status and the body composition of oncologic children, since these factors have a relevant impact on clinical outcomes during treatment as well as after their conclusion; ii) the support of skilled clinical nutrition personnel would be extremely helpful for the global management of these patients.

Effect of a physical activity intervention on lower body bone health in childhood cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial (SURfit)

It remains controversial whether physical activity promotes bone health in childhood cancer survivors (CCS). We aimed to assess the effect of a one-year general exercise intervention on lower body bone parameters of CCS. CCS ≥16 years at enrollment, <16 years at diagnosis and ≥5 years in remission were identified from the national Childhood Cancer Registry. Participants randomized to the intervention group were asked to perform an additional ≥2.5 hours of intense physical activity/week, controls continued exercise as usual. Bone health was assessed as a secondary trial endpoint at baseline and after 12-months. We measured tibia bone mineral density (BMD) and morphology by peripheral quantitative computed tomography and lumbar spine, hip and femoral neck BMD by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. We performed intention-to-treat, per protocol, and an explorative subgroup analyses looking at low BMD using multiple linear regressions. One hundred fifty-one survivors (44% females, 7.5 ± 4.9 years at diagnosis, 30.4 ± 8.6 years at baseline) were included. Intention-to-treat analysis revealed no differences in changes between the intervention and control group. Per protocol analyses showed evidence for an improvement in femoral neck and trabecular BMD between 1.5% and 1.8% more in participants being compliant with the exercise program. Trabecular BMD increased 2.8% more in survivors of the intervention group with BMD z-score ≤-1 compared to those starting at z-score >-1. A nonstandardized personalized exercise programs might not be specific enough to promote bone health in CCS, although those compliant and those most in need may benefit. Future trials should include bone stimulating exercise programs targeting risk groups with reduced bone health and motivational features to maximize compliance.

Cancer and nutrition among children and adolescents in low- and middle-income countries

OBJECTIVE

: The primary purpose of this review is to investigate the relationships between cancer and nutrition in children and adolescents living in resource-poor, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in order to explore potential opportunities for interventions which could improve clinical outcomes in this population.

METHOD

: The implications of overlapping age groups of children and adolescents with cancer are examined, as are the adverse influences of under-nutrition and socio-economic deprivation on the efficacy of treatment and cancer survival. Evidence suggestive of novel avenues to enhance prospects for cure, based on increased understanding of the dynamic of nutrition and cancer, is evaluated.

RESULT

: Cancer adds to the burden of under-nutrition in disadvantaged populations which is reflective, in large measure, on inadequate governmental expenditure on health which demands public-private partnerships and the use of hospital-based foundations. Structured approaches to the measurement of nutritional status and the design of effective programmes of nutritional supplementation are of proven benefit. Initial results from studies of the perturbed gut microbiome hold considerable promise for further gains.

CONCLUSION

A large minority of children with cancer in LMICs are never diagnosed and the same may be true of adolescents. Investing in the training of nutritionists will have substantial returns as will increasing access to essential medicines. Recognition of these challenges has stimulated WHO and other entities to devise major strategies for comprehensive changes in the care of children and adolescents with cancer in LMICs, offering realistic prospects for improved clinical outcomes.

Relationships of Bone Mineral Density to Whole Body Mass, Fat Mass and Fat-free Mass in Long-term Survivors of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Childhood

Body size influences bone mineral density (BMD) in health. Relationships of BMD with body mass index, fat mass (FM), fat-free mass, and appendicular lean mass were explored in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors (n=75; 41 males; 45 standard risk ALL) >10 years from diagnosis. Dual energy radiograph absorptiometry performed body composition analysis. Relationships were assessed by regression analyses and Pearson correlation coefficients (r). Twenty subjects (26.3%) were osteopenic; lumbar spine (LS) BMD Z score <-1.00. Age at diagnosis, sex, ALL risk-category, type of post-induction steroid or cranial radiation did not correlate with LS or whole body (WB) BMD. Body mass index correlated significantly with LS BMD (r=0.333, P=0.004) and WB BMD (r=0.271, P=0.033). FM index (FM/height²) Z score showed no significant correlation with LS or WB BMD. Fat-free mass index Z score correlated strongly with LS BMD (r=0.386, P=0.013) and WB BMD (r=0.605, P<0.001) in males but not in females. The appendicular lean mass index, a surrogate for skeletal muscle mass, correlated significantly with LS BMD (r=0.367, P=0.018) and WB BMD (r=0.604, P<0.001) in males but not in females. Future studies to evaluate interventions to enhance BMD focused on improving body composition particularly skeletal muscle mass are warranted.

The influence of nutrition on clinical outcomes in children with cancer

Adequate and appropriate nutrition is essential for growth and development in children; all put at risk in those with cancer. Overnutrition and undernutrition at diagnosis raise the risk of increased morbidity and mortality during therapy and beyond. All treatment modalities can jeopardize nutritional status with potentially adverse effects on clinical outcomes. Accurate assessment of nutritional status and nutrient balance is essential, with remedial interventions delivered promptly when required. Children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are especially disadvantaged with concomitant challenges in the provision of nutritional support. Cost-effective advances in the form of ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) may offer solutions. Studies in LMICs have defined a critical role for the gut microbiome in the causation of undernutrition in children and have demonstrated a beneficial effect of selected RUTF in redressing the imbalanced microbiota and improving nutritional status. Challenges in high-income countries relate both to concerns about the potential disadvantage of preexisting obesity in those newly diagnosed and to undernutrition identified at diagnosis and during treatment. Much remains to be understood but the prospects are bright for offsetting malnutrition in children with cancer, resulting in enhanced opportunity for healthy survival.

The role of nutrition in pediatric oncology

Introduction: Obesity compromises survival in children with cancer in high-income countries (HICs) and is accompanied often by sarcopenia. In low and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the great majority of children live, the prevalence of under-nutrition is as high as 95% in those with cancer. Nutritional support improves clinical outcomes, including survival.Areas covered: This narrative review describes the evolution of attention to nutrition in children with cancer and the increasing understanding of this relationship. An initial focus on obesity in children with acute leukemias in HICs has been matched more recently by a recognition of the negative effect of under-nutrition on survival in children with cancer in LMICs. These observations have stimulated explorations of underlying mechanisms, including dysbiosis of the gut microbiome, and structured nutritional interventions to redress adverse outcomes.Expert opinion: Studies of the gut microbiome and metabolome have yielded important information on the pathogenesis of malnutrition in children, providing new avenues for interventions. Combinations of plant products that are inexpensive and readily available in LMICs have been shown to 'mature' the microbiome and the corresponding plasma proteome in children with acute malnutrition, offering the prospect of cost-effective remedies that are tested in children with cancer.

Pain in long-term survivors of childhood cancer: A systematic review of the current state of knowledge and a call to action from the Children's Oncology Group

Survivors of childhood cancer may be at risk of experiencing pain, and a systematic review would advance our understanding of pain in this population. The objective of this study was to describe: 1) the prevalence of pain in survivors of childhood cancer, 2) methods of pain measurement, 3) associations between pain and biopsychosocial factors, and 4) recommendations for future research. Data sources for the study were articles published from January 1990 to August 2019 identified in the PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and Web of Science data bases. Eligible studies included: 1) original research, 2) quantitative assessments of pain, 3) articles published in English, 4) cancers diagnosed between birth and age 21 years, 5) survivors at 5 years from diagnosis and/or at 2 years after therapy completion, and 6) a sample size >20. Seventy-three articles were included in the final review. Risk of bias was considered using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The quality of evidence was evaluated according to Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. Common measures of pain were items created by the authors for the purpose of the study (45.2%) or health-related quality-of-life/health status questionnaires (42.5%). Pain was present in from 4.3% to 75% of survivors across studies. Three studies investigated chronic pain according the definition in the International Classification of Diseases. The findings indicated that survivors of childhood cancer are at higher risk of experiencing pain compared with controls. Fatigue was consistently associated with pain, females reported more pain than males, and other factors related to pain will require stronger evidence. Theoretically grounded, multidimensional measurements of pain are absent from the literature.

Physical Therapist Coaching to Improve Physical Activity in Children With Brain Tumors: A Pilot Study

PURPOSE

Children with brain tumors (BTs) experience fatigue and decreased quality of life (QOL). Physical activity (PA) is recommended during and after cancer treatment. We explored whether a fitness tracker intervention combined with tailored coaching by a physical therapist (PT) increased PA and QOL and decreased fatigue in children with BTs.

METHODS

Participants were 7 to 18 years' old, within 2 years of diagnosis, and received a 12-week PA intervention using a fitness tracker combined with 5 PT coaching sessions. Steps/day measured by Fitbit and self-reports of QOL, fatigue, and PA were evaluated at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks.

RESULTS

Participants had nonsignificant increase in steps/day. Total fatigue, general, and sleep/rest subscales improved while cognitive fatigue and QOL remained unchanged. Higher steps/day were associated with lower fatigue.

CONCLUSION

This is a feasible intervention that may contribute to an increase in PA and improve fatigue in children with BTs.

Quality of life in patients with proton-treated pediatric medulloblastoma: Results of a prospective assessment with 5-year follow-up

BACKGROUND

To the authors' knowledge, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes are not well described in patients with medulloblastoma. The use of proton radiotherapy (RT) may translate into an improved HRQOL. In the current study, the authors report long-term HRQOL in patients with proton-treated pediatric medulloblastoma.

METHODS

The current study was a prospective cohort HRQOL study of patients with medulloblastoma who were treated with proton RT and enrolled between August 5, 2002, and October 8, 2015. Both child report and parent-proxy report Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) surveys were collected at baseline during RT and annually thereafter (score range on surveys of 0-100, with higher scores indicating better HRQOL). Patients were dichotomized by clinical/treatment variables and subgroups were compared. Mixed-model analysis was performed to determine the longitudinal trajectory of PedsQL scores. The Student t test was used to compare long-term HRQOL measures with published means from a healthy child population.

RESULTS

Survey data were evaluable for 116 patients with a median follow-up of 5 years (range, 1-10.6 years); the median age at the time of diagnosis was 7.6 years (range, 2.1-18.1 years). At baseline, children reported a total core score (TCS) of 65.9, which increased by 1.8 points annually (P<.001); parents reported a TCS of 59.1, which increased by 2.0 points annually. Posterior fossa syndrome adversely affected baseline scores, but these scores significantly improved with time. At the time of last follow-up, children reported a TCS of 76.3, which was 3.3 points lower than that of healthy children (P = .09); parents reported a TCS of 69, which was 11.9 points lower than that of parents of healthy children (P<.001). Increased follow-up time from diagnosis correlated with improved HRQOL scores.

CONCLUSIONS

HRQOL scores appear to increase over time after treatment in children treated with proton RT for medulloblastoma but remain lower compared with those of parent-proxy reports as well as published means from a healthy normative sample of children. Additional follow-up may translate into continued improvements in HRQOL. Cancer 2018. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

Bone mineral density is compromised in very long-term survivors of irradiated childhood brain tumor

INTRODUCTION

The increase in the number of childhood brain tumor survivors warrants detailed research to increase our knowledge regarding the possible physical and psychosocial adverse outcomes of tumor and tumor therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current bone health by measuring the bone mineral density (BMD) in irradiated, adult long-term survivors of childhood brain tumors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We studied a national cohort of 74 adult survivors of childhood brain tumors treated with irradiation in Finland between 1970 and 2008. Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was performed for the femoral necks, total hips, and lumbar spine. Laboratory tests were conducted for evaluating the pituitary, thyroid, and gonadal functions. The participants were interviewed, examined clinically, and the disease and treatment related data were retrieved from the patient files.

RESULTS

One fourth of the patients (23.6%) had sex- and age-normalized z-scores below the expected range for age (z-score ≤ -2.0). Mean BMD scores were decreased in all the DXA measurement sites. Male sex was associated with low BMD (p < .05), while body mass index (BMI) had a significant positive association with BMD (p < .01). Mode of irradiation (with or without spinal irradiation) or inclusion of chemotherapy in the treatment did not affect BMD significantly. However, patients with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt had lower BMD than those without a shunt (p < .05). Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were negatively associated with BMD in women (p < .05). However, a higher cumulative dose of glucocorticoids during treatment was not associated with lower BMD, while low BMD was significantly associated with previous fractures in long bones.

DISCUSSION

Low BMD should be taken in consideration in treatment of irradiated childhood brain tumor survivors especially in those with previous fractures in long bones.

Multidisciplinary rehabilitation for children with brain tumors: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

There is an increasing need to assess the evidence of a multidisciplinary approach for both short-term and long-term management of neurological sequelae arising from the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors in childhood.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of the evidence base for multidisciplinary paediatric brain tumor rehabilitation using seven databases. PRISMA guidelines were adhered to and the review was registered with the PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews (registration number CRD42014015070).

RESULTS

The literature search identified 3,061 results. Three service evaluations were included. The review identified limited evidence in favor of multidisciplinary rehabilitation for children with brain tumors. Due to the lack of controlled trial data and heterogeneity of the interventions and outcome measures, no meta-analysis could be performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Studies utilising a coordinated multi-centre approach with standardized outcome measures are recommended in order to enable robust assessment of the efficacy of multidisciplinary rehabilitation services.

Core deficits and quality of survival after childhood medulloblastoma: a review

Background

Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant central nervous system tumor in children. Treatment most often includes surgical resection, craniospinal irradiation, and adjuvant chemotherapy. Although survival has improved dramatically, the tumor and its treatments have devastating long-term side effects that negatively impact quality of survival (QoS). The objective was to review the literature on QoS following childhood medulloblastoma.

Methods

This narrative review is based on a Medline database search and examination of the reference lists of papers selected.

Results

Frequent problems after medulloblastoma treatment include medical complications, such as long-term neurological and sensory (hearing loss) impairments; endocrine deficits, including growth problems; and secondary tumors. Neurocognitive impairment is repeatedly reported, with decreasing cognitive performances over time. Although all cognitive domains may be affected, low processing speed, attention difficulties, and working memory difficulties are described as the core cognitive deficits resulting from both cerebellar damage and the negative effect of radiation on white matter development. Long-term psychosocial limitations include low academic achievement, unemployment, and poor community integration with social isolation. Important negative prognostic factors include young age at diagnosis, conventional craniospinal radiotherapy, presence of postoperative cerebellar mutism, and perioperative complications. The influence of environmental factors, such as family background and interventions, remains understudied.

Conclusion

Future studies should focus on the respective impact of radiation, cerebellar damage, genomic and molecular subgroup parameters, and environmental factors on cognitive and psychosocial outcomes. Long-term (probably lifelong) follow-up into adulthood is required in order to monitor development and implement timely, suitable, multi-disciplinary rehabilitation interventions and special education or support when necessary.

Childhood medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma accounts for 15-20% of childhood nervous system tumours. The risk of dying was reduced by 30% in the last twenty years. Patients are divided in risk strata according to post-surgical disease, dissemination, histology and some molecular features such as WNT subgroup and MYC status. Sixty to 70% of patients older than 3 years are assigned to the average-risk group. High-risk patients include those with disseminated and/or residual disease, large cell and/or anaplastic histotypes, MYC genes amplification. Current and currently planned clinical trials will: (1) evaluate the feasibility of reducing both the dose of craniospinal irradiation and the volume of the posterior fossa radiotherapy (RT) for those patients at low biologic risk, commonly identified as those having a medulloblastoma of the WNT subgroup; (2) determine whether intensification of chemotherapy (CT) or irradiation can improve outcome in patients with high-risk disease; (3) find target therapies allowing tailored therapies especially for relapsing patients and those with higher biological risk.

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.

Results

Among 60 children with cancer, mean age 12.6 years, 35 boys, 28 % were during cancer treatment. CRF, reported as the z score of VO_2peak, showed that 32 children had a VO_2peakz score which was −2 below the predicted value. CRF was significantly associated with PA and SB: each additional activity count per minute resulted in 0.05 ml/kg/min VO_2peak increase and each additional minute sedentary reduced VO_2peak by 0.06 ml/kg/min. Multiple linear regression models of PA and SB showed that decreased activity was significantly associated with higher age, being fatigued, being during childhood cancer treatment (p < 0.001), or having a higher percentage of fat mass. The multiple linear regression model showed that lower CRF was significantly associated with increased fatigue, being during cancer treatment, having a higher percentage of fat mass, and lower belief of own athletic competence (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study revealed that children during or shortly after cancer treatment have low CRF scores. The most inactive children had a higher fat mass, were fatigued, older, and during childhood cancer treatment. Unexpectedly, treatment-related factors showed no significant association with activity behavior.

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. Measurements were conducted at baseline, shortly after the 12-week intervention period and 12 months after baseline. Generalized estimating equations analyses were performed to assess short-term and long-term psychosocial effects.

RESULTS

Of the 174 eligible patients, 68 (39.1%) participated. The intervention group consisted of 30 participants at baseline [mean age 13.0 (SD 3.0) years; 53% male], 26 at short-term and 22 at long-term follow-up. The 'care as usual' control group consisted of 38 participants at baseline [mean age 12.6 (SD 3.1) years; 53% male], 33 at short-term and 31 at long-term follow-up. Overall, the intervention did not improve psychosocial functioning and HrQoL. According to parent-proxy reports, the intervention leads to a greater improvement on pain-related HrQoL on both the short (β = 13.4; 95% CI: 3.0; 23.8) and long term (β = 13.0; 95% CI: 1.6; 24.4) and to greater improvement on procedural anxiety immediately after the intervention (β = 12.6; 95% CI: 1.9; 23.3).

CONCLUSION

A combined physical and psychosocial training for children with cancer did not have effects on HrQoL or psychosocial functioning, with exception of modest positive effects on parent-reported pain and procedural anxiety Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Impairments that influence physical function among survivors of childhood cancer

Children treated for cancer are at increased risk of developing chronic health conditions, some of which may manifest during or soon after treatment while others emerge many years after therapy. These health problems may limit physical performance and functional capacity, interfering with participation in work, social, and recreational activities. In this review, we discuss treatment-induced impairments in the endocrine, musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiopulmonary systems and their influence on mobility and physical function. We found that cranial radiation at a young age was associated with broad range of chronic conditions including obesity, short stature, low bone mineral density and neuromotor impairments. Anthracyclines and chest radiation are associated with both short and long-term cardiotoxicity. Although numerous chronic conditions are documented among individuals treated for childhood cancer, the impact of these conditions on mobility and function are not well characterized, with most studies limited to survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and brain tumors. Moving forward, further research assessing the impact of chronic conditions on participation in work and social activities is required. Moreover, interventions to prevent or ameliorate the loss of physical function among children treated for cancer are likely to become an important area of survivorship research.

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. Those declining to participate were asked to complete questionnaires concerning: reasons for non-participation, daily physical activity, health-related quality of life (HrQoL), and behavioral problems. Participants completed the same questionnaires at baseline (excluding 'reasons for non-participation').

RESULTS

Of 174 eligible patients, 106 did not participate; of these, 61 (57.5%) completed the one-time survey. The main reasons for non-participation as reported by the parents were 'too time consuming' and 'participation is too demanding for my child', while children most frequently reported 'too time consuming' and 'already frequently engaged in sports'. No differences between participants and non-participants were found for age, HrQoL, parental-reported behavior problems, sport participation, school type, BMI, and perceived health. A greater distance from home to hospital resulted in reduced participation (β: -0.02; p = 0.01). Non-participants rated their fitness level higher (p = 0.03). Participating children (11-18 years old) reported more behavioral problems (p = 0.02), in particular internalizing problems (p = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

Participation of childhood cancer patients in an intensive physical and psychosocial intervention program seems related to the burden of the intervention and the travel distance from home to hospital. In general, non-participants rated their fitness level higher compared with participants. Patients with more (internalizing) behavioral problems seem more likely to participate in the study.

Child-related characteristics predicting subsequent health-related quality of life in 8- to 14-year-old children with and without cerebellar tumors: a prospective longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

We identified child-related determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children aged 8-14 years who were treated for 2 common types of pediatric brain tumors.

METHODS

Questionnaire measures of HRQoL and psychometric assessments were completed by 110 children on 3 occasions over 24 months. Of these 110, 72 were within 3 years of diagnosis of a cerebellar tumor (37 standard-risk medulloblastoma, 35 low-grade cerebellar astrocytoma), and 38 were in a nontumor group. HRQoL, executive function, health status, and behavioral difficulties were also assessed by parents and teachers as appropriate. Regression modeling was used to relate HRQoL z scores to age, sex, socioeconomic status, and 5 domains of functioning: Cognition, Emotion, Social, Motor and Sensory, and Behavior.

RESULTS

HRQoL z scores were significantly lower after astrocytoma than those in the nontumor group and significantly lower again in the medulloblastoma group, both by self-report and by parent-report. In regression modeling, significant child-related predictors of poorer HRQoL z scores by self-report were poorer cognitive and emotional function (both z scores) and greater age (years) at enrollment (B = 0.038, 0.098, 0.136, respectively). By parent-report, poorer cognitive, emotional and motor or sensory function (z score) were predictive of lower subsequent HRQoL of the child (B = 0.043, 0.112, 0.019, respectively), while age at enrollment was not.

CONCLUSIONS

Early screening of cognitive and emotional function in this age group, which are potentially amenable to change, could identify those at risk of poor HRQoL and provide a rational basis for interventions to improve HRQoL.

Physical functioning in pediatric survivors of childhood posterior fossa brain tumors

BACKGROUND

Survival rates for children diagnosed with posterior fossa brain tumors (PFBTs) have improved significantly over the past several decades, and long-term functioning assessments have become priorities. These evaluations have occurred frequently in adults but only rarely in children. This study describes a cross-sectional assessment of physical functioning in pediatric survivors of PFBTs using the Bruininks-Osteretsky Test of Motor Performance, Second Edition (BOT-2).

METHODS

Primary analyses compared BOT-2 scores to normative data using 1-sample t tests for each gross motor subscale (Bilateral Coordination, Balance, Running Speed/Agility, Strength) and motor-area composite (Body Coordination and Strength and Agility). Second, the cohort was stratified by diagnostic or treatment variables. Group differences and groups vs norms were evaluated using independent 2-sample and 1-sample t tests, respectively. Primary analyses compared BOT-2 scores with normative data using 1-sample t tests for each gross motor subscale (Bilateral Coordinationcoordination, Balance, Running Speed/Agility, Strength) and motor-area composite (Body Coordination and Strength and Agility). Second, the cohort was stratified by diagnostic or treatment variables. Group differences and groups vs norms were evaluated using independent 2-sample and 1-sample t tests, respectively.

RESULTS

Mean age of 30 participants was 11.4 years (range, 4.9y-18.2y), and mean time from diagnosis was 6.1 years (range, 1.1y-16.7y). Cerebellar astrocytoma (43.3%) and medulloblastoma (40%) were the most common diagnoses. As a group, significantly decreased functioning, compared with norms, was observed in Balance (P < .001) and Running Speed/Agility (P = .005). Specifically in Balance, 21 (70%) participants performed below or well-below average. Participants with a non-astrocytoma performed significantly lower than norms in all areas, independent of age at diagnosis. Survivors with tumors infiltrating the vermis demonstrated significantly lower Body Coordination than norms (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric survivors of PFBTs demonstrated decreased physical functioning, most notably in Balance. These data underscore the need for further research and implementation of physical activity programs aimed specifically at approaches to minimize physical limitations.

Bone mineral density deficits and fractures in survivors of childhood cancer

Although substantial increases in survival rates among children diagnosed with cancer have been observed in recent decades, survivors are at risk of developing therapy-related chronic health conditions. Among children and adolescents treated for cancer, acquisition of peak bone mass may be compromised by cancer therapies, nutritional deficiencies, and reduced physical activity. Accordingly, failure to accrue optimal bone mass during childhood may place survivors at increased risk for deficits in bone density and fracture in later life. Current recommendations for the treatment of bone density decrements among cancer survivors include dietary counseling and supplementation to ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake. Few strategies exist to prevent or treat bone loss. Moving forward, studies characterizing the trajectory of changes in bone density over time will facilitate the development of interventions and novel therapies aimed at minimizing bone loss among survivors of childhood cancer.

Screening for pain in pediatric brain tumor survivors using the pain thermometer

Numerous instruments have been developed to measure pain within various populations; however, there remains limited understanding of how these tools are applicable to childhood cancer survivors. This study compared a single-item screening measure, the Pain Thermometer (PT), with a more in-depth measure, the Brief Pain Survey (BPS), in a cohort of childhood brain tumor survivors. Ninety-nine survivors (aged 13-32 years) with a median time from diagnosis of 9.9 years (range = 2-18 years) completed the 2 instruments. Thirty-seven survivors (37.4%) were identified on the BPS as having clinically significant pain, but the PT was not found to be an accurate tool for identifying these pain cases. Application of receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of PT ratings against BPS criterion indicated overall concordance between measures. No cutoff score on the PT were identified that resulted in acceptable sensitivity, meaning pain cases identified on the BPS would be missed on the PT. Findings suggest that a multi-item screening measure may better identify clinically significant pain in childhood brain tumor survivors compared with a 1-item screening measure alone.

Bone mineral density deficits in childhood cancer survivors: Pathophysiology, prevalence, screening, and management

As chemotherapy and other sophisticated treatment strategies evolve and the number of survivors of long-term childhood cancer grows, the long-term complications of treatment and the cancer itself are becoming ever more important. One of the most important but often neglected complications is osteoporosis and increased risk of fracture during and after cancer treatment. Acquisition of optimal peak bone mass and strength during childhood and adolescence is critical to preventing osteoporosis later in life. However, most childhood cancer patients have multiple risk factors for bone mineral loss. Cancer itself, malnutrition, decreased physical activity during treatment, chemotherapeutic agents such as steroids, and radiotherapy cause bone mineral deficit. Furthermore, complications such as growth hormone deficiency and musculoskeletal deformity have negative effects on bone metabolism. Low bone mineral density is associated with fractures, skeletal deformity, pain, and substantial financial burden not only for childhood cancer survivors but also for public health care systems. Thus, it is important to monitor bone health in these patients and minimize their risk of developing osteoporosis and fragility fractures later in life.

Factors associated with low bone density in patients referred for assessment of bone health

Background

To identify factors that predict low bone mineral density (BMD) in pediatric patients referred for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry assessments.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of 304 children and adolescents referred for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry assessments at a tertiary care center. Outcomes included risk factors which predicted a significant low bone density for age, defined as BMD Z-score ≤ -2.0 SD. A univariate analysis involved Chi-square, Fisher’s Exact test, and analysis of variance, and multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to determine predictors of low bone mineral density.

Results

In the multivariate logistic regression model, predictors of low bone mineral density included low body mass index Z-score (odds ratio 0.52, 95% confidence interval 0.39 – 0.69), low height Z-score (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.57 – 0.88), vitamin D insufficiency (OR 3.97, 95% CI 2.08 – 7.59), and history of bone marrow transplant (OR 5.78, 95% CI 1.00 – 33.45).

Conclusions

Underlying health problems and associated treatments can impair bone mineral accrual. We identified risk factors most predictive of low bone mineral density in subjects referred for bone density measurement. Recognition of these factors may allow for earlier assessment to maximize bone mass in at-risk children.

Late effects in adult survivors of pediatric cancer: a guide for the primary care physician

Because of significant medical advances in the past 50 years, the number of adult survivors of childhood/adolescent cancer has increased dramatically. Unfortunately, more than 60% of these survivors will have at least 1 long-term side effect from treatment. This growing population requires dedicated care by their primary physicians because they have specific risk factors depending on their initial cancer diagnosis and the treatment modalities they received. Internists and family physicians play an integral role in providing appropriate screening, treatment, and counseling to prevent morbidity and mortality in these patients.

Risk factors for osteoporosis in long-term survivors of intracranial germ cell tumors

SUMMARY

We measured bone mineral densities in 28 intracranial germ cell tumor long-term survivors. There was the high prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia, 25.0% and 42.9%, respectively, and three additional risk factors, male sex, a low lean mass, and adult growth hormone replacement, were identified.

INTRODUCTION

Intracranial germ cell tumor long-term survivors (iGCTLS) have many risk factors for osteoporosis, including irradiation from cancer therapy and multiple hormone deficiencies. However, no study of bone mineral density (BMD) has been conducted in iGCTLS because these tumors are rare. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of osteoporosis and to identify risk factors associated with reduced bone mass in iGCTLS.

METHODS

We evaluated BMD and body composition of 28 iGCTLS (10.9 ± 5.2 years after cancer treatment; 13 males) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. To determine risk factors, we analyzed the medical history, including the nature of the tumor, treatment modality, endocrine status, hormone replacement therapy, lifestyle, and biochemical parameters.

RESULTS

Twenty-five percent of iGCTLS were diagnosed with osteoporosis and 42.9% with osteopenia. Most males (92.3%) had low BMD. Lean mass (LM) was positively correlated with BMD in all regions of interest, and the starting age of adult growth hormone (GH) replacement was negatively correlated with the BMD Z-score at the femur neck. In logistic regression analysis, male sex and low LM were related to low BMD.

CONCLUSIONS

The iGCTLS had a high prevalence of low BMD. We found that male sex, low LM, and delayed start of adult GH replacement were risk factors for osteoporosis. Therefore, the BMD of all iGCTLS should be evaluated, and if it is low, proper management should be started early.

Bone density in post-pubertal adolescent survivors of childhood brain tumors

BACKGROUND

Childhood cancer survivors are at high risk for reduced bone mineral density (BMD). Our objective was to determine whether post-pubertal adolescent survivors of brain tumors, whose tumor or treatments placed them at risk for pituitary hormone deficiencies, have low BMD near time of peak bone mass accrual, and to assess risk factors for decreased BMD.

PROCEDURE

Chart review of 36 post-pubertal adolescents with history of tumor or radiation therapy (RT) of the hypothalamic-pituitary area who had undergone BMD screening via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

RESULTS

Age at DXA was 16.9 ± 1.9 years (mean ± SD). Time since diagnosis was 8.5 ± 3.6 years. Median BMD Z scores were -0.95 (range -2.7 to 1.7) at the femoral neck, -1.20 (-3.6 to 1.8) at the hip, and -0.90 (-3.7 to 1.8) at the spine. Bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) Z scores were -0.23 (-2.7 to 1.9) at the femoral neck and -0.45 (-3.0 to 2.3) at the spine. Those with history of ≥1 fracture had lower BMD Z scores of the femoral neck, total hip, and spine (P < 0.05). Those with treated GH deficiency (GHD) had a higher BMD Z-score at the femoral neck, total hip, and spine (P < 0.05) than those not treated. There was no difference in BMD with respect to treatment with chemotherapy, cranial or spinal RT, or hypogonadism. Spontaneous menarche and regular periods did not correlate with BMD.

CONCLUSIONS

In post-pubertal adolescent survivors of childhood brain tumors, fracture history and untreated GHD are risk factors for decreased BMD.

Time-dependent alterations in growth and bone health parameters evaluated at different posttreatment periods in pediatric oncology patients

Bone mineral density (BMD) and anthropometric measurements in pediatric cancer patients were evaluated and compared at early and late posttreatment periods. Sixty-six pediatric cancer patients who recovered completely following treatment longer than at least a 6-month period were included in the study. Patients were evaluated cross-sectionally and prospectively with regard to anthropometric measurements and BMD twice; the first being at a mean period of 2.62 ± 1.44 years and the second of 6.55 ± 1.71 years after the completion of treatment. Rates of osteoporosis and osteopenia at first or second evaluation were 25.8% and 39.4% or 10.6% and 19.7%, respectively. Mean BMD z-scores were (-1.26) ± 1.12 [(-4.3)-2.0] and (-0.48) ± 1.25 [(-3.30)-3.40] at first and second evaluations, respectively. BMD findings obtained at second evaluation revealed statistically significant recovery compared with those obtained at first evaluation (P = .001). BMD z-scores were significantly lower in patients who received, as opposed to those who did not receive, radiotherapy (RT) at both evaluations. Anthropometric parameters of patients such as height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were increased at both evaluations compared with values obtained at diagnosis (P < .05). Height standard deviation score (SDS) decreased at first evaluation compared with that measured at diagnosis, whereas it increased at second evaluation. Conversely, weight SDS and BMI SDS increased (P < .05) at first evaluation compared with that measured at diagnosis, whereas they decreased at second evaluation. The authors conclude that early impairments in anthropometric measurements recover in the long term, whereas BMD is continually reduced in children who recovered from cancer.

Health-related quality of life, activities of daily living and parenting stress in children with brain tumors

OBJECTIVE

To compare health-related quality of life (HRQOL), activities of daily living (ADL), and parenting stress between children with brain tumors and those of normal control (NC).

METHODS

Participants were 31 brain tumor patients who had received chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation after surgical resection and 125 NC subjects. We administered the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, version 4.0 (PedsQL), to assess HRQOL; the Korean version of the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (K-PSI-SF), to assess parenting stress; and examined ADL.

RESULTS

The mean self-report PedsQL scores for physical health, emotional functioning, social functioning, school functioning, and total scores in the patients were significantly lower than those of the NC group. The mean parent proxy-report PedsQL scores for all scales except emotional functioning in the patient group were significantly lower than those of the NC group. The ADL impairment for the patients was significantly more than that of the NC group. The K-PSI-SF mean scores for stress related to having a difficult child and for stress related to parent-child interaction in the patient group tended to be higher than those of the NC group (p=0.09).

CONCLUSION

The children with brain tumors had lower HRQOL and difficulties in performing ADL. The parents of children with brain tumors tended to experience stress related to having a difficult child and to parent-child interaction. We suggest that long-term monitors for the child's HRQOL and ADL, and parenting stress in children with brain tumors are needed.

Identifying determinants of quality of life of children with cancer and childhood cancer survivors: a systematic review

PURPOSE

This paper describes a systematic review conducted to identify factors that have been investigated as explanations of variability in the quality of life of children with cancer and childhood cancer survivors. Our purpose was to build an evidence base that could be used to guide and direct future research.

METHODS

MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cancerlit, and Sociological Abstracts were searched from the inception of each database to June 15, 2009 using the following search terms: "quality of life," "health-related quality of life," "quality adjusted life years," "health status," "functional status," "well-being," or "patient-reported outcome." Sample characteristics and information about the relationship between a quality of life domain or total scale score and at least one factor (e.g., child gender or age, coping skills, family income) were extracted from eligible studies.

RESULTS

Nine cancer-specific and nine generic QOL questionnaires were used in 58 publications described 239 factors (50 unique factors). The large number of cancer, treatment, child, and family variables considered indicates that extensive research activity has occurred. However, most of the variables identified were examined in only a few studies and most represent medical and treatment variables with less research attention paid to child and family variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study has compiled evidence about determinants of QOL for children with cancer and childhood cancer survivors from the existing literature. Future research can build on this evidence base to expand the range of factors studied as most research to date has focused on medical and treatment factors.

Associations between leisure-time physical activity and health-related quality of life among adolescent and adult survivors of childhood cancers

OBJECTIVE

Survivors of childhood cancer are at an increased risk for reduced quality of life (QOL), yet few studies have explored factors associated with improving health-related QOL (HRQOL) in this population. We thus explored the relationship between physical activity (PA) and HRQOL among survivors of childhood cancer.

METHODS

A total of 215 survivors of childhood lymphoma, leukemia, and central nervous system cancers completed mailed surveys that elicited information regarding leisure-time PA (LTPA) measured in metabolic equivalents, HRQOL, and diagnostic and demographic factors. Correlations and adjusted regression models were used to explore the relationship between LTPA and HRQOL.

RESULTS

In the total sample, modest, yet significant linear associations were observed between LTPA and overall HRQOL (beta=0.17, p<0.01), as well as each of the respective subscales (beta=0.11-0.23 and p's<0.05 to <0.001). Among adolescent survivors of childhood cancer, LTPA was significantly associated with overall HRQOL (beta=0.27), cancer worry (beta=0.36), cognitive function (beta=0.32), body appearance (beta=0.29), and social function (beta=0.27) (all p's<0.05). Among adult survivors of childhood cancer, LTPA was only significantly associated with physical function (beta=0.28, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Significant associations exist between LTPA and HRQOL; however, the association was stronger and observed in more domains for adolescent survivors of childhood cancer. More research is needed to determine the antecedents and consequences of PA in this population.

Child-related determinants of health-related quality of life in children with brain tumours 1 year after diagnosis

OBJECTIVES

Infratentorial tumour site and health-related quality of life (HRQL) 1 month after diagnosis have been shown to predict HRQL 1 year after diagnosis in children with brain tumours. This study aimed to identify additional early child-related determinants of parent- and child-report HRQL.

METHODS

Longitudinal prospective study. Semi-structured interviews took place approximately 1 and 12 months after diagnosis. HRQL was measured using the self- and parent-report Pediatric Quality of Life Scales (PedsQL 4.0) Total Scale Score and Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) multi-attribute utility function. Child variables included performance and verbal IQ, general memory, selective attention executive function, behaviour problems, adaptive behaviour, symptoms of depression and anxiety and event related anxiety. Univariate analyses were used to identify potential early predictors of HRQL. Regression analysis was then used to identify the most important determinants of HRQL at 1 year.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients completed the 12-month interviews. Multivariate analysis showed infratentorial tumour site remained an important determinant of HRQL 1 year after diagnosis. Infratentorial tumour site and selective attention at 1 month generally best predicted poor self- and parent-report HRQL at 12 months. Adaptive behaviour and performance IQ may be important.

CONCLUSION

Selective attention and infratentorial tumour site are most important in predicting both parent- and self-report HRQL at 1 year after diagnosis. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings. Cognitive remediation or/and pharmacological intervention, particularly aimed at children with infratentorial tumours may improve attention and subsequently HRQL and both merit further investigation.

Childhood medulloblastoma

Among all the childhood central nervous system tumours, medulloblastoma and other neuroectodermal tumours account for 16-25% of cases. The causative factors of medulloblastoma/PNET have not been well established. It is more frequent in boys than in girl and in children than in adults. There was a significant improvement of survival for children diagnosed in 2000-2002 compared to those diagnosed in 1995-1999. The risk of dying was reduced by 30%. Patients are generally divided into risk-stratified schemes on the basis of age, the extent of residual disease, and dissemination. Sixty to 70% of patients older than 3 years are assigned to the average-risk group. High-risk patients include those in the disseminated category, and in North American trials those that have less than a gross or near-total resection, which is arbitrarily defined as 1.5 cm(2) of post-operative residual disease. Current and currently planned clinical trials will:define molecular and biological markers that improve outcome prediction in patients with medulloblastoma and which can be incorporated for front-line stratification of newly defined risk subgroups.

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. Feeling better may increase the willingness and motivation to engage in sports activities. Therefore, this multi-centre study evaluates the short and long-term changes in physical fitness of a child with a childhood malignancy, using a combined physical exercise and psychosocial intervention program, implemented during or shortly after treatment. Also examined is whether positive effects on physical fitness reduce inactivity-related adverse health problems, improve quality of life, and are cost-effective.

Methods

This multi-centre randomized controlled trial compares a combined physical and psychosocial intervention program for children with cancer, with care as usual (controls). Children with cancer (aged 8-18 years) treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, and who are no longer than 1 year post-treatment, are eligible for participation. A total of 100 children are being recruited from the paediatric oncology/haematology departments of three Dutch university medical centres. Patients are stratified according to pubertal stage (girls: age ≤10 or >10 years; boys: ≤11 or >11 years), type of malignancy (haematological or solid tumour), and moment of inclusion into the study (during or after treatment), and are randomly assigned to the intervention or control group.

Discussion

Childhood cancer patients undergoing long-term cancer therapy may benefit from a combined physical exercise and psychosocial intervention program since it may maintain or enhance their physical fitness and increase their quality of life. However, the feasibility, patient need, and effectiveness of such a program should be established before the program can be implemented as part of standard care.

Trial registration number

NTR1531 (The Netherlands National Trial Register)

Physical performance limitations among adult survivors of childhood brain tumors

BACKGROUND

Young adult survivors of childhood brain tumors (BTs) may have late effects that compromise physical performance and everyday task participation. The objective of this study was to evaluate muscle strength, fitness, physical performance, and task participation among adult survivors of childhood BTs.

METHODS

In-home evaluations and interviews were conducted for 156 participants (54% men). Results on measures of muscle strength, fitness, physical performance, and participation were compared between BT survivors and members of a population-based comparison group by using chi-square statistics and 2-sample t tests. Associations between late effects and physical performance and between physical performance and participation were evaluated in regression models.

RESULTS

: The median age of BT survivors was 22 years (range, 18-58 years) at the time of the current evaluation, and they had survived for a median of 14.7 years (range, 6.5-45.9 years) postdiagnosis. Survivors had lower estimates of grip strength (women, 24.7 + or - 9.2 kg vs 31.5 + or - 5.8 kg; men, 39.0 + or - 12.2 kg vs 53.0 + or - 10.1 kg), knee extension strength (women, 246.6 + or - 95.5 Newtons [N] vs 331.5 + or - 5.8 N; men, 304.7 + or - 116.4 N vs 466.6 + or - 92.1 N), and peak oxygen uptake (women, 25.1 + or - 8.8 mL/kg per minute vs 31.3 + or - 5.1 mL/kg per minute; men, 24.6 + or - 9.5 mL/kg per minute vs 33.2 + or - 3.4 mL/kg per minute) than members of the population-based comparison group. Physical performance was lower among survivors and was associated with not living independently (odds ratio [OR], 5.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0-12.2) and not attending college (OR, 2.3; 95% CI 1.2-4.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Muscle strength and fitness values among BT survivors were similar to those among individuals aged > or = 60 years and were associated with physical performance limitations. Physical performance limitations were associated with poor outcomes in home and school environments. The current data indicated an opportunity for interventions targeted at improving long-term physical function in this survivor population.

Family, demographic and illness-related determinants of HRQL in children with brain tumours in the first year after diagnosis

AIMS

To evaluate the relationship between parent- and child-report Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) and demographic, tumour and family variables in children with a brain tumour in the first year after diagnosis and to identify determinants of HRQL at 12 months.

PROCEDURE

Longitudinal prospective study: Semi-structured interviews took place approximately 1, 6 and 12 months after diagnosis. HRQL was measured using the self- and parent-report PedsQL 4.0 Total Scale Score. Tumour and treatment variables considered included tumour site and grade, hydrocephalus at diagnosis, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Family variables included measures of family function, family support and family stress, the primary carer's coping strategies and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Univariate analyses were used at all three time points, and to identify potential early predictors of HRQL at 1 year. Regression analysis was then used to identify the most important determinants of HRQL at 1 year.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients completed the 12-month interviews. There were consistent significant negative correlations between concurrent family impact of illness and parent and self-report HRQL, and positive correlations between concurrent family support and parent-report HRQL. Treatment with radio- or chemotherapy correlated with child-report HRQL only at some time points. Multivariate analysis showed infratentorial tumour site, and poor HRQL at 1 month best predicted poor self- and parent-report HRQL at 12 months.

CONCLUSION

Children with infratentorial tumours and poor HRQL early after diagnosis tend to have poor HRQL at 1 year. While family factors are important modulators of concurrent HRQL, they do not appear important in predicting HRQL.

Predictors of inactive lifestyle among adult survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

BACKGROUND

: Participation in physical activity is important for childhood cancer survivors, because inactivity may compound cancer/treatment-related late effects. However, some survivors may have difficulty participating in physical activity, and these individuals need to be identified so that risk-based guidelines for physical activity, tailored to specific needs, can be developed and implemented. The objectives of the current study were to document physical activity patterns in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) cohort, to compare the physical activity patterns with siblings in the CCSS and with a population-based sample from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, and to evaluate associations between diagnosis, treatment, and personal factors in terms of the risk for an inactive lifestyle.

METHODS

: Percentages of participation in recommended physical activity were compared among survivors, siblings, and population norms. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate the associations between cancer diagnosis and therapy, sociodemographics, and the risk for an inactive lifestyle.

RESULTS

: Participants included 9301 adult survivors of childhood cancer and 2886 siblings. Survivors were less likely than siblings (46% vs 52%) to meet physical activity guidelines and were more likely than siblings to report an inactive lifestyle (23% vs 14%). Medulloblastoma (35%) and osteosarcoma (27%) survivors reported the highest levels of inactive lifestyle. Treatments with cranial radiation or amputation were associated with an inactive lifestyle as were being a woman, black race, older age, lower educational attainment, underweight or obese status, smoking, and depression.

CONCLUSIONS

: Childhood cancer survivors were less active than a sibling comparison group or an age- and sex-matched population sample. Survivors who are at risk for an inactive lifestyle should be considered high priority for developing and testing of intervention approaches. Cancer 2009. (c) 2009 American Cancer Society.

Pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma survivors at negligible risk for significant bone mineral density deficits

BACKGROUND

We hypothesized that pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors would have bone mineral density (BMD) deficits compared to their peers because of osteotoxic chemotherapy during the time of greatest BMD accretion.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed records of HL survivors returning for follow-up between 1990 and 2002. Of the 133 eligible survivors, 109 who underwent quantitative computed tomography (QCT) comprised the study group. QCT-determined BMD Z-scores were correlated with patient characteristics and therapeutic exposures by Wilcoxon rank sum or Chi-square tests. Logistic regression models were used to explore risk factors for diminished BMD.

RESULTS

The study cohort was half male (50.5%) and 85.3% reported their race as white. Participants were representative of all survivors potentially eligible for study, except that more study participants were female, had hypothyroidism, and had received cyclophosphamide. Median age at diagnosis was 15.1 years (range, 3.1-20.7 years); median time between diagnosis and QCT was 7.5 years (range, 5.0-12.4 years). The proportion of HL survivors with BMD below the mean did not significantly differ from the general population (P = 0.503). However, those with BMD -1.5 SD and BMD -2.0 SD or lower (14.7% and 7.3%, respectively) exceeded that in the general population (6.7% and 2.3%, respectively; P < 0.001 for both degrees of severity). Males, diagnosed at 14 years or older, were at 6.5 times higher risk than females (OR 95% CI: 1.24-34.14; P = 0.027) for BMD deficits.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, pediatric HL survivors had negligible BMD deficits. Male gender was associated with an increased risk of developing BMD deficits.

Pediatric medulloblastoma: toxicity of current treatment and potential role of protontherapy

Post-operative craniospinal irradiation and systemic chemotherapy are both necessary in the treatment of pediatric medulloblastoma. Late toxicity is a major problem in long term survivors and significantly affects their quality of life. We have systematically reviewed the literature to examine data on late toxicity, specifically focusing on: endocrine function, growth and bone development, neurocognitive development, second cancers, ototoxicity, gynecological toxicity and health of the offspring, cardiac toxicity and pulmonary toxicity. In this paper, we describe qualitatively the kind of detected side effects and, whenever possible, try to assess their incidence and the relative role of craniospinal irradiation (as opposed to other treatments and to the disease itself) in producing them. Subsequently we examine the possible approach to reduce unwanted effects from craniospinal irradiation to target and non-target tissues and we consider briefly the role of hyperfractionation, tomotherapy and IMRT. We describe the characteristics of protontherapy and its potential for non-target tissues toxicity reduction reviewing the existing physical and dosimetric studies and the (still very limited) clinical experiences. Finally we propose intensity modulated spot scanning protontherapy with multiportal simultaneous optimization (IMPT) as a possible tool for dose distribution optimization within different areas of CNS and potential reduction of target tissues toxicity.

Bone architectural and structural properties after 56Fe26+ radiation-induced changes in body mass

High-energy, high-charge (HZE) radiation, including iron ions ((56)Fe(26+)), is a component of the space environment. We recently observed a profound loss of trabecular bone in mice after whole-body HZE irradiation. The goal of this study was to examine morphology in bones that were excluded from a (56)Fe(26+) beam used to irradiate the body. Using 10-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats and excluding the hind limbs and pelvis, we irradiated animals with 0, 1, 2 and 4 Gy (56)Fe(26+) ions and killed them humanely after 9 months. Animals grew throughout the experiment. Trabecular bone volume, connectivity and thickness within the proximal tibiae were significantly lower than control in a dose-dependent manner. Irradiated animals generally had less body mass than controls, which largely accounted for the variability in bone parameters as determined by ANCOVA. Likewise, lower cortical parameters were associated with reduced mass. However, lesser trabecular thickness in the 4-Gy group could not be attributed to body mass alone. Indicators of bone metabolism were generally unchanged, suggesting stabilized turnover. Exposure to (56)Fe(26+) ions can alter trabecular microarchitecture in shielded bones. Reduced body mass seems to be correlated with these deficits of trabecular and cortical bone.