Late effects of cancer and its treatment

Abstract

Objectives: To review the common physical and psychosocial late effects of treatment in adult and childhood cancer survivors.

Data sources: Published articles and research studies.

Conclusions: More than half of individuals diagnosed with cancer can be expected to survive for more than 5 years. These survival gains have occurred because of more complex and multimodal therapy that may increase long-term toxicities.

Implications for nursing practice: Health care providers must be familiar with these late effects to offer preventive care and health promotion strategies to this patient population.