Early detection of gastrointestinal polyps and neoplasia following radiation for childhood-onset cancer

A massive and rapidly increasing burden of care exists for all physicians caring for the 80–90% of childhood cancer survivors. All paediatricians and general practitioners (GPs) seeing these adolescents must attain a sound knowledge of the risks, current and future, faced by these young people. Provision of improved care and appropriate surveillance during adolescence, with information for adult services at time of transition, will also empower patients and their families to advocate for and act upon the essential requirements for long-term surveillance. Not all these risks are yet commonly recognised. Exposure to abdominal radiation for childhood cancer increases risks of gastrointestinal polyps and colorectal cancer (CRC), level comparable with two or more first-degree relatives with CRC.1 Radiation-associated CRC is defined by malignancy arising within the field of prior abdominal radiation, usually ≥10 years after irradiation. Consensus recommendation and firm clinical guidelines from both the Children’s Oncology Group...
Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: PostScript Source Type: research