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. 2023 Aug;17(4):1139-1148.
doi: 10.1007/s11764-021-01157-w. Epub 2022 Jan 31.

Current pediatric cancer survivorship practices: a report from the Children's Oncology Group

K E Effinger  1   2 , R Haardörfer  3 , J Gilleland Marchak  1   2 , C Escoffery  3 , W Landier  4 , A Kommajosula  3 , E Hendershot  5 , K T Sadak  6 , D Eshelman-Kent  7 , K Kinahan  8 , D R Freyer  9 , E J Chow  10 , A C Mertens  11   12
Affiliations

Current pediatric cancer survivorship practices: a report from the Children's Oncology Group

K E Effinger et al. J Cancer Surviv. 2023 Aug.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe current survivor services provided by COG institutions.

Methods: A 190-question online survey was distributed to 209 COG member institutions over a 5-month period in 2017. Descriptive statistics were used to describe survivor services and explore their changes between 2007 and 2017.

Results: Representatives from 153 (73%) institutions completed the survey. Of these, 96% of institutions reported that they provide pediatric cancer survivor care either in a specialized late effects program (75%) or a regular pediatric oncology clinic (24%). However, only 29.8% of institutions reported that > 75% of eligible patients were seen in a survivorship clinic. The most prevalent reported barriers to survivor care were lack of dedicated time (58%) and lack of funding for program development (41%). In 2017, 88% of institutions provided a treatment summary compared to 31% in 2007.

Conclusion: The majority of COG institutions have dedicated care for pediatric and young adult survivors of childhood cancer; however, at most institutions, < 75% of eligible patients access this care. Research into more efficient technology strategies is needed to ensure all survivors the opportunity to receive appropriate follow-up care.

Implications for cancer survivors: This survey provides a snapshot of the status of late effects services within COG institutions and provides information on residual gaps in services. Next steps should focus on the importance of attendance in a survivorship clinic on the physical health and psychosocial outcomes in cancer survivors.

Keywords: Cross-sectional study; Late effects services; Pediatric cancer; Survivorship.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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