The european experience of establishing guidelines for surveillance of the childhood cancer survivor

Abstract

Over the last three decades, increasing awareness has emerged amongst healthcare providers, as well as survivors and their families, that successful cancer treatment may cause late adverse effects in Childhood Cancer Survivors (CCS), and in particular among those treated during childhood when the body is still developing. Moreover, it becomes evident that the national health systems in general and the pediatric cancer centers need additional resources to address the emerging needs of survivors related to side effects of their previous treatment, and that transition programs need to be developed for CCS entering adulthood. Given the considerable differences between European nations and sometimes even within individual countries, the nature of LTFU after childhood cancer in Europe will probably include numerous and varied models of care. Therefore guidelines will need to be diverse enough to accommodate many different needs while still setting a standard of excellence that all nations can aim for. With increased awareness of and advocacy for equal access to treatment and care, improvements in and equity of access to LTFU will hopefully be facilitated across all of Europe.