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Multicenter Study
. 2010 Jan;54(1):103-9.
doi: 10.1002/pbc.22277.

Ocular late effects in childhood and adolescent cancer survivors: a report from the childhood cancer survivor study

Kimberly F Whelan  1 , Kayla Stratton, Toana Kawashima, John W Waterbor, Robert P Castleberry, Marilyn Stovall, Charles A Sklar, Roger J Packer, Pauline Mitby, Candice L Aitken, Julie Blatt, Leslie L Robison, Ann C Mertens
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Ocular late effects in childhood and adolescent cancer survivors: a report from the childhood cancer survivor study

Kimberly F Whelan et al. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010 Jan.

Abstract

Introduction: Approximately 80% of children currently survive 5 years following diagnosis of their cancer. Studies based on limited data have implicated certain cancer therapies in the development of ocular sequelae in these survivors.

Procedure: The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) is a retrospective cohort study investigating health outcomes of 5+ year survivors diagnosed and treated between 1970 and 1986 compared to a sibling cohort. The baseline questionnaire included questions about the first occurrence of six ocular conditions. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated from responses of 14,362 survivors and 3,901 siblings.

Results: Five or more years from the diagnosis, survivors were at increased risk of cataracts (RR: 10.8; 95% CI: 6.2-18.9), glaucoma (RR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.1-5.7), legal blindness (RR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.7-4.0), double vision (RR: 4.1; 95% CI: 2.7-6.1), and dry eyes (RR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.6-2.4), when compared to siblings. Dose of radiation to the eye was significantly associated with risk of cataracts, legal blindness, double vision, and dry eyes, in a dose-dependent manner. Risk of cataracts were also associated with radiation 3,000+ cGy to the posterior fossa (RR: 8.4; 95% CI: 5.0-14.3), temporal lobe (RR: 9.4; 95% CI: 5.6-15.6), and exposure to prednisone (RR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.6-3.4).

Conclusions: Childhood cancer survivors are at risk of developing late occurring ocular complications, with exposure to glucocorticoids and cranial radiation being important determinants of increased risk. Long-term follow-up is needed to evaluate potential progression of ocular deficits and impact on quality of life.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

The authors have none to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cumulative incidence (%) of select ocular conditions and radiation exposure >500 cGy to eye: >500 cGy to eye, some to brain segments; Brain segment: <=500 cGy to eye, some to brain segments; No radiation: Zero cGy to eye and brain
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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