Life after cancer.

The St. Jude Research Hospital has published a monumental report of the health challenges faced by long-term survivors of childhood cancer. The study retrospectively evaluated chronic health conditions of >5K patients 18 years and older surviving >10 years from cancer diagnosis. Survivors had nearly twice the incidence of ongoing medical problems and roughly 3x the rate of serious chronic health conditions as their peers. Second cancers, spine problems, and lung conditions were the most common diseases developed. Older kids and those who received higher doses of radiation to the chest, brain, or spine developed the highest cumulative burden of chronic conditions. This is a reminder that our incredible gains in survival for childhood cancer have not come without costs.