How do you counsel families of pediatric patients regarding risk of secondary malignancy or IQ changes with cranial radiation using photons?

Topics: Radiation Oncology • Pediatric Oncology

Are there general ages that you refer to in terms of risk of secondary malignancy or points dropped for IQ over time after treatment, or particular helpful studies (such as the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Study Negalia JNCI 2006 or other newer studies?)

Answer from: Radiation Oncologist at Academic Institution

It’s a great question as these are two of the scariest things that families face when you relay the potential risks of cranial radiotherapy. Simple things like timing of these topics in the consent discussion can make a difference. Don’t start with the scariest potential risk when doing ...

Comments

Radiation Oncologist at CCare
Incredibly thoughtful and detailed answer - it mak...

Radiation Oncologist at UC San Diego School of Medicine
@John T. Lucas Jr. you should turn that discussion...

Radiation Oncologist at Stephenson Oklahoma Cancer Center
Ditto to @James J. Urbanic. A thorough discussion ...

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