Cancer Survivorship Research

Any cancer treatment, from chemotherapy and radiation to surgery, can cause treatment-related late effects. These include emotional difficulties, secondary cancers, reproductive and sexual development problems, hormonal imbalances, hearing and vision problems, and learning/memory problems. Because of these effects, survivors of childhood cancer and their families often have unique needs and concerns that must be addressed after treatment ends.

Researchers at the Center for Childhood Cancer Research are collecting and analyzing information related to cancer treatment late effects to create and implement programs to help childhood cancer survivors and their families better manage the quality of their lives.

The efforts of investigators at the CCCR have resulted in:

  • Development of fertility preservation options for pre-pubertal girls and boys
  • Creation of programs and interventional outreach initiatives to treat survivors who experience skeletal, endocrine or developmental treatment-related late effects
  • Evaluation of survivors of pediatric brain tumors and creation of educational resources and support groups to address cognitive problems and psychosocial challenges
  • Clinical evaluation of promising programs and interventional strategies to reduce or better manage treatment-related late effects among pediatric cancer survivors
  • Improved processes and research relating to the transition from pediatrics to adult-focused care.

The commitment of investigators at the Center for Childhood Cancer Research to identify, manage, and potentially prevent physical and emotional treatment-related late effects offers enormous promise to improve the quality of life for childhood cancer survivors and their families.