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. 2017;2(2):79-85.
doi: 10.1080/23809000.2017.1300507. Epub 2017 Mar 6.

Frailty and quality of life in adult survivors of childhood cancer

Kirsten K Ness, Carrie R Howell, Kari L Bjornard

Frailty and quality of life in adult survivors of childhood cancer

Kirsten K Ness et al. Expert Rev Qual Life Cancer Care. 2017.

Abstract

Introduction: Adult survivors of childhood cancer are at risk for frailty, a state of diminished physiologic reserve, typically seen in older adults, associated with morbidity and mortality. They are also at risk for poor quality of life. This review explores potential associations between frailty and quality of life and proposes potential interventions that may prevent or remediate frail health.

Areas covered and literature search: A literature search using MEDLINE and EMBASE was undertaken using key words: childhood cancer survivors and each of the following: frailty, physical performance, emotional health, and quality of life. 796 abstracts were reviewed for relevance. Reference lists for retrieved articles were consulted for pertinent manuscripts (N=40). Recent literature (from January 2013 to November 2016) was obtained using the key words: aging and frailty and quality of life. The final reference list includes 44 documents.

Expert opinion: Childhood cancer survivors are at risk for frailty and less than optimal quality of life. Poor emotional health may contribute to this association. Further research is needed to better explain these associations and to provide a foundation for the development of interventions designed to prevent and remediate frail health and suboptimal quality of life in this population.

Keywords: Frailty; childhood cancer survivors; emotional health; exercise; fitness; physical performance; quality of life.

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Conflict of interest statement

Financial and competing interests’ disclosure: The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Handgrip strength among brain tumor survivors and an age and sex matched comparison group
Figure 2
Figure 2
Six minute walk distance among acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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