Paediatria Croatica, Vol. 53 No. 4, 2009.
Pregledni rad
The meaning of supportive therapy for the growth and development of children treated for malignant tumor
Tomislav Franjo Hajnžić
Sažetak
Over the past few decades, the survival rate from childhood cancers has significantly increased due to constant modifications and improvements in treatment protocols. It is estimated that childhood cancer occurs in 1 per 600 children, and that 1 per 450 adolescents or young adults is a long-term cancer survivor. In this report the most important undesirable side effects are presented which may appear in childhood and adults who have been treated with aggressive oncological therapy. The use of irradiation and chemotherapy in childhood causes irreversible damage in the child. The most important side effects are given in an overview, in the use of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which are related to the growth and development of patients with malignant tumours. We give our own experience in the monitoring of the immune, endocrinological and neuropsychological systems and the generative ability of children treated for malignant diseases. Significant changes in the rise in body mass, linear growth in height and the immune system have been registered in patients with malignant diseases in the first few months from the beginning of therapy. After therapy, in some patients a disturbance occurs in the function of the hypothalamic-hypophysic system, the thyroid gland and generative ability. Suitable supportive therapy during treatment and exact substitution compensatory treatment in manifest disturbances makes further satisfactory growth and development possible for children treated for malignant brain tumours.
Ključne riječi
Descriptors: NEOPLASMS – drug therapy, radiotherapy, physiopathology; RADIOTHERAPY – adverse effects; ANTINEOPLASTIC COMBINED CHEMOTHERAPY
Hrčak ID:
48247
URI
Datum izdavanja:
17.12.2009.
Posjeta: 736 *