Study design and cohort characteristics of the childhood cancer survivor study: A multi-institutional collaborative project

• Published in: Medical and pediatric oncology 2002-04, Vol.38 (4), p.229-239
• Main Authors: Robison, Leslie L., Mertens, Ann C., Boice, John D., Breslow, Norman E., Donaldson, Sarah S., Green, Daniel M., Li, Frederic P., Meadows, Anna T., Mulvihill, John J., Neglia, Joseph P., Nesbit, Mark E., Packer, Roger J., Potter, John D., Sklar, Charles A., Smith, Malcolm A., Stovall, Marilyn, Strong, Louise C., Yasui, Yutaka, Zeltzer, Lonnie K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; adolescent cancer; Adult; Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Canada; Child; Child, Preschool; childhood cancer; Cohort Studies; Family Health; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Infant; late-effects; Male; Medical sciences; Multiple tumors. Solid tumors. Tumors in childhood (general aspects); Neoplasms - complications; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Prognosis; Surveys and Questionnaires; Survivors; Tumors; United States
• ISSN: 0098-1532; 1096-911X
• DOI: 10.1002/mpo.1316

Background Increased attention has been directed toward the long‐term health outcomes of survivors of childhood cancer. To facilitate such research, a multi‐institutional consortium established the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS), a large, diverse, and well‐characterized cohort of 5‐year survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer. Procedure Eligibility for the CCSS cohort included a selected group of cancer diagnoses prior to age 21 years between 1970–1986 and survival for at least 5 years. Results A total of 20,276 eligible subjects were identified from the 25 contributing institutions, of whom 15% are considered lost to follow‐up. Currently, 14,054 subjects (69.3% of the eligible cohort) have participated by completing a 24‐page baseline questionnaire. The distribution of first diagnoses includes leukemia (33%), lymphoma (21%), neuroblastoma (7%), CNS tumor (13%), bone tumor (8%), kidney tumor (9%), and soft‐tissue sarcoma (9%). ion of medical records for chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical procedures has been successfully completed for 98% of study participants. Overall, 78% received radiotherapy and 73% chemotherapy. Conclusion The CCSS represents the largest and most extensively characterized cohort of childhood and adolescent cancer survivors in North America. It serves as a resource for addressing important issues such as risk of second malignancies, endocrine and reproductive outcome, cardiopulmonary complications, and psychosocial implications, among this unique and ever‐growing population. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 2002;38:229–239. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.