Late Effects of Cancer Treatment

Late Effects of Cancer Treatment

Late effects of cancer treatment can come from any of the three main types of cancer treatment: chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. As newer types of cancer treatment are developed, doctors may find that these treatments also cause late effects in cancer survivors.

As with late side effects in adult cancer survivors, late side effects in childhood cancer survivors will vary depending on the type of cancer and type of treatment. Additionally, the age at which you were treated may determine what late side effects, if any, you might be at risk of.

Some late side effects experienced by childhood cancer survivors include:

• Heart problems, including an increased risk of heart attacks
• Blood vessel problems, including an increased risk of stroke
• Lung problems, which can cause difficulty breathing
• Liver problems
• Kidney problems
• Bone problems, such as bone thinning (osteoporosis) and joint pain
• Short stature, caused by slow bone growth
• Obesity
• Infertility
• Memory problems and learning disabilities
• Vision loss
• Hearing loss
• Increased risk of other types of cancers