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happie01

Do long-term survivors of pediatric cancer have the same morbidity or mortality rates as their peers

No. Long-term survivors of pediatric cancer are more likely to have diminished health status and to die prematurely than are adults who have never had childhood cancer. In one study by Mertens et al. (Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2001), investigators found statistically significant excess rates of death from subsequent cancers (standardized mortality ratio [SMR], 19.4), from cardiac causes (SMR, 8.2), and from pulmonary causes (SMR, 9.2). In the study by Oeffinger et al. published in this issue of the NEJM, survivors of childhood cancer were found to have a higher rate of illness owing to chronic health conditions.