Subsequent primary neoplasms after childhood cancer therapy - design and description of the German nested case-control study STATT-SCAR.

BACKGROUND: Subsequent primary neoplasms (SPN) are among the most severe late effects and the second most frequent cause of death in childhood cancer patients. In this paper we introduce method and properties of the STATT-SCAR study (Second Tumor After Tumor Therapy, Second Cancer After Radiotherapy), which is a joint nested matched case-control study to evaluate the impact of chemotherapy (STATT) as well as radiotherapy (SCAR) on the risk of developing a SPN. METHODS: Based on the cohort of the German childhood cancer registry (GCCR), we selected patients diagnosed with a first neoplasm before age 15 or younger between 1980 and 2014. We selected those with a SPN at least half a year after the first neoplasm, and matched up to four controls to each case. Therapy data were acquired from various sources, including clinical study centers and treating hospitals. To analyze the impact of radiotherapy, organ doses were estimated by using reconstructed treatment plans. The effect of chemotherapy was analyzed using substance groups summarized after isotoxic dose conversion. RESULTS: 1244 cases with a SPN were identified and matched with 4976 controls. Treatment data were acquired for 83% of all match groups (one case and at least one control). Based on preliminary analyses, 98% of all patients received chemotherapy and 54% of all patients were treated with radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our data, detailed analyses of dose response relationships and treatment element combinations are possible, leading to a deeper insight into SPN risks after cancer treatments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered at the German clinical trial register (DRKS) under number DRKS00017847 [45].

Survivors of infant atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors present with severely impaired cognitive functions especially for fluid intelligence and visual processing: data from the German brain tumor studies.

BACKGROUND: The contribution of tumor type, multimodal treatment, and other patient-related factors upon long-term cognitive sequelae in infant brain tumor survivors remains undefined. We add our retrospective analysis of neuropsychological and quality of survival (QoS) outcome data of survivors of atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (ATRT) and extracranial malignant rhabdoid tumors of the soft tissues (eMRT) and kidneys (RTK) treated within the same framework. Neuropsychological data from children with ATRT were compared to data from children with non-irradiated low-grade glioma (LGG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Following surgery, patients (0-36 months at diagnosis) had received radio-chemotherapy (up to 54 Gy; ATRT: n = 13; eMRT/RTK: n = 7), chemotherapy only (LGG: n = 4; eMRT/RTK: n = 1) or had been observed (LGG: n = 11). Neuropsychological evaluation employing comparable tests was performed at median 6.8 years (ATRT), 6.6 years (eMRT/RTK), and 5.2 years (LGG) post diagnosis. RESULTS: We detected sequelae in various domains for all tumor types. Group comparison showed impairments, specifically in fluid intelligence (p = .041; d = 1.11) and visual processing (p = .001; d = 2.09) in ATRT patients when compared to LGG patients. Results for psychomotor speed and attention abilities were significantly below the norm for both groups (p < .001-.019; d = 0.79-1.90). Diagnosis predicted impairments of cognitive outcome, while sex- and age-related variables did not. QoS outcome for all rhabdoid patients displayed impairments mainly in social (p = .008; d = 0.74) and school functioning (p = .048; d = 0.67), as well as lower overall scores in psychosocial functioning (p = .023; d = 0.78) and quality of life (p = .006; d = 0.79) compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Survivors of infant ATRT experience various late effects in cognition and QoS following multimodal treatment, while infant LGG patients without radiotherapy demonstrated comparable impairments in psychomotor and attention abilities. Early onset and multimodal treatment of rhabdoid tumors require close monitoring of neuropsychological and QoS sequelae.

Contraceptive methods and fertility testing in young adult survivors of childhood cancer.

PURPOSE: Reproductive health is important, but often neglected in cancer survivorship care. This study explored contraceptive use and factors associated with fertility testing among young adult survivors of childhood cancer in Germany. METHODS: Young adult survivors of childhood cancer were identified through the German Childhood Cancer Registry and completed a mailed survey. Survivors were queried regarding contraceptive use, reproductive goals, uncertainty about fertility, and completion or interest in fertility testing. Multivariable stepwise logistic regression models were used to calculate Odds Ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) as a means of identifying factors associated with completion of and interest in fertility testing. RESULTS: Survivors (N = 472; 57.8% female; aged 23.3 ± 1.5 years, and 14.9 ± 5.0 years from diagnosis), reported high rates of contraceptive use, including 61.2% using a single method, 30.6% dual methods, and 8.1% no/less effective methods. Few survivors had completed fertility testing (13.0%), although 58.8% were interested. Having been diagnosed during adolescence (OR = 2.66, 95%CI: 1.39-5.09), greater uncertainty about fertility (OR = 1.16, 95%CI: 1.03-1.31), and use of dual contraceptive methods (OR = 1.94, 95%CI: 1.02-3.69) were associated with having completed fertility testing. Factors associated with interest in fertility testing included goals of wanting to have children (OR = 7.76, 95%CI: 3.01-20.04) and greater uncertainty about fertility (OR = 1.19 95%CI: 1.06-1.33). CONCLUSION: In this sample of young adults who survived childhood cancer, most reported contraceptive use. Few survivors had completed fertility testing, although more than half were interested. Interventions are needed to address potential barriers to fertility testing and help survivors manage fertility-related uncertainty.

Recommendations for the surveillance of mental health problems in childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors: a report from the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group.

Survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult (diagnosed when <25 years of age) cancer are at risk of mental health problems. The aim of this clinical practice guideline is to harmonise international recommendations for mental health surveillance in survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer. This guideline was developed by a multidisciplinary panel of experts under the sponsorship of the International Guideline Harmonization Group. We evaluated concordance among existing survivorship clinical practice guidelines and conducted a systematic review following evidence-based methods. Of 7249 studies identified, 76 articles from 12 countries met the inclusion criteria. Recommendations were formulated on the basis of identified evidence in combination with clinical considerations. This international clinical practice guideline strongly recommends mental health surveillance for all survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancers at every follow-up visit and prompt referral to mental health specialists when problems are identified. Overall, the recommendations reflect the necessity of mental health surveillance as part of comprehensive survivor-focused health care.

Psychosexual Development and Sexual Functioning in Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Childhood cancer and its treatment can impair survivors' development throughout life, particularly psychosexual development, which can be affected in complex ways and is crucial for survivors' well-being. Yet, research is scarce. AIM: This study assessed psychosexual development (milestone attainment, age at attainment, perceived timing) in young adult survivors of childhood cancer. It further examined sexual satisfaction and sexual functioning, and whether survivors' perceived timing of sexual debut was related to satisfaction or functioning. METHODS: A registry-based nationwide survey was completed by N = 492 German survivors of childhood cancer (age 21-26 years, 6-26 years postdiagnosis). They completed standardized measures of psychosexual milestones (eg, first kiss, sexual debut), sexual satisfaction, and sexual functioning. Psychosexual development was compared to normative data (N = 1,533). OUTCOMES: Psychosexual development, sexual satisfaction, and sexual functioning were the primary outcome measures. Psychosexual development was characterized in three ways: milestone attainment (yes/no), age at attainment, perceived timing ("right" time, too early/late). RESULTS: Milestone attainment was comparable to normative data, except for sexual debut: Survivors were less often experienced (82.5% vs 88%; P = .002) and older at sexual debut (17.4 vs 16.2 years; g = 0.55), but most survivors (58.3%) perceived their timing as "right." Survivors of brain tumors were least likely to have had their sexual debut, but if experienced age at sexual debut was similar to other survivors. Female survivors were somewhat more experienced than males (eg, first kiss, first relationship; <10% difference), but they were somewhat older when they first kissed (g = 0.26). Age at diagnosis was unrelated to milestone attainment. Perceived early/late sexual debut was related to lower satisfaction in female survivors (P = .026), but unrelated to sexual dysfunction. Instead, partnered men reported particularly low dysfunction whereas women reported similar levels of sexual dysfunction irrespective of their relationship status (P = .049). Overall, sexual functioning was favorable (60.2%: not/barely problematic). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Most survivors reported favorable sexual satisfaction and functioning, but a minority of survivors may need supportive services. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: This project represents one of few large-scale studies on psychosexual development in childhood cancer survivors relative to normative data, and is the first to link development to sexual satisfaction/functioning. Assessing satisfaction/functioning with validated, but brief measures limits detailed insights, but was inclusive of any sexual orientation. Medical background information based on registry data was limited. CONCLUSION: Results showed normative psychosexual development (except for sexual debut) in most survivors. A self-determined attitude toward sexuality (ie, engaging in sexual activities at the "right" time) may generally determine positive sexual experiences. Lehmann V, Gerhardt CA, Baust K, et al. Psychosexual Development and Sexual Functioning in Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer. J Sex Med 2022;19:1645-1654.

Quality-of-life evaluations in children and adolescents with Ewing sarcoma treated with pencil-beam-scanning proton therapy.

BACKGROUND: With improved survival rates for children with cancer, quality-of-life (QoL) issues have increasingly become the focus of attention. We report the QoL of children with Ewing sarcoma (EWS) treated with pencil-beam-scanning proton therapy (PT). METHODS: A PEDQOL (QoL questionnaire for children 4-18 years) self/proxy questionnaire was used to prospectively assess the QoL of 23 children <18 years with EWS treated with PT. This questionnaire evaluates eight different domains. Children (self-rating) and parents (proxy-rating) filled out the questionnaire at the start of PT (E1), 2 months after treatment (E2), and thereafter once yearly (E≥3). RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls, parents rated the QoL of their children at E1 significantly worse in all but two (cognition and social functioning-family) domains. At E4, significant differences between the two groups only remained in three of eight domains. At E1, children self-rated their QoL significantly worse in the domain Physical functioning (p = .004) and significantly better in the domain Body image (p = .044) compared to healthy controls, whereas no significant differences were observed at E4. For the longitudinal comparison E1 versus E4, according to parents, Emotional functioning, Cognition and Social functioning-peers were slightly decreased 2 years after PT. The children rated Emotional functioning and Body image poorly 2 years after PT. CONCLUSIONS: Children with EWS usually recovered seemingly well to normal QoL levels 2 years after the end of PT. They tended to rate their QoL substantially higher than their parents. However, in the longitudinal analysis at 2 years, children rated their Emotional functioning and Body image scores poorly.

ESGO-SIOPE guidelines for the management of adolescents and young adults with non-epithelial ovarian cancers.

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology and the European Society for Paediatric Oncology jointly developed clinically relevant and evidence-based guidelines for the management of adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 25 years with non-epithelial ovarian cancers, including malignant ovarian germ cell tumours, sex cord-stromal tumours, and small cell carcinoma of the ovary of hypercalcaemic type. The developmental process of these guidelines is based on a systematic literature review and critical appraisal process involving an international multidisciplinary developmental group consisting of experts from relevant disciplines (paediatric oncology, paediatric surgery, medical oncology, pathology, psycho-oncology, gynaecological oncology, and reproductive endocrinology). Given the specific and often complex issues involved in treating this group of patients, fertility sparing surgery and decrease of acute and long-term toxicities from treatment were important criteria for guidelines definition. Prior to publication, the guidelines were reviewed by 54 independent international practitioners in cancer care delivery.

Clinical outcomes and quality of life in children and adolescents with primary brain tumors treated with pencil beam scanning proton therapy.

BACKGROUND: Long-term treatment-related toxicity may substantially impact well-being, quality of life (QoL), and health of children/adolescents with brain tumors (CBTs). Strategies to reduce toxicity include pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton therapy (PT). This study aims to report clinical outcomes and QoL in PBS-treated CBTs. PROCEDURE: We retrospectively reviewed 221 PBS-treated CBTs aged <18 years. Overall-free (OS), disease-free (DFS), and late-toxicity-free survivals (TFS), local control (LC) and distant (DC) brain/spinal control were calculated using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Prospective QoL reports from 206 patients (proxies only ≤4 years old [yo], proxies and patients ≥5 yo) were descriptively analyzed. Median follow-up was 51 months (range, 4-222). RESULTS: Median age at diagnosis was 3.1 years (range, 0.3-17.7). The main histologies were ependymoma (n = 88; 39.8%), glioma (n = 37; 16.7%), craniopharyngioma (n = 22; 10.0%), atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) (n = 21; 9.5%) and medulloblastoma (n = 15; 6.8%). One hundred sixty (72.4%) patients received chemotherapy. Median PT dose was 54 Gy(relative biological effectiveness) (range, 18.0-64.8). The 5-year OS, DFS, LC, and DC (95% CI) were 79.9% (74-85.8), 65.2% (59.8-70.6), 72.1% (65.4-78.8), and 81.8% (76.3-87.3), respectively. Late PT-related ≥G3 toxicity occurred in 19 (8.6%) patients. The 5-year ≥G3 TFS was 91.0% (86.3-95.7). Three (1.4%) secondary malignancies were observed. Patients aged ≤3 years at PT (P = .044) or receiving chemotherapy (P = .043) experienced more ≥G3 toxicity. ATRT histology independently predicted distant brain failure (P = .046) and death (P = .01). Patients aged ≥5 years self-rated QoL higher than their parents (proxy assessment). Both reported lower social functioning and cognition after PT than at baseline, but near-normal long-term global well-being. QoL was well below normal before and after PT in children ≤4 years. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of CBTs was excellent after PBS. Few patients had late ≥G3 toxicity. Patients aged <5 years showed worse QoL and toxicity outcomes.

Guidance regarding COVID-19 for survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer: A statement from the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group.

Childhood, adolescent, and young adult (CAYA) cancer survivors may be at risk for a severe course of COVID-19. Little is known about the clinical course of COVID-19 in CAYA cancer survivors, or if additional preventive measures are warranted. We established a working group within the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group (IGHG) to summarize existing evidence and worldwide recommendations regarding evidence about factors/conditions associated with risk for a severe course of COVID-19 in CAYA cancer survivors, and to develop a consensus statement to provide guidance for healthcare practitioners and CAYA cancer survivors regarding COVID-19.

Quality of life in long-term survivors following treatment for Hodgkin's disease during childhood and adolescence in the German multicentre studies between 1978 and 2002.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to cross-sectionally assess quality of life (QoL) in survivors of childhood Hodgkin's disease (HD) in a cohort treated for HD in the successive German-Austrian therapy studies HD-78, HD-82, HD-85, HD-87, HD-90, HD-95, respectively, in accordance with the HD-Interval-Treatment recommendation between 1978 and 2002. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from QoL questionnaires were provided by 1,202 (66 %) of 1,819 invited survivors. These included the EORTC QLQ-C30 and socio-demographic variables. Data of a homogenous sub-sample (n = 725) defined by age (21-41 years) and event- free-survival (no progress, relapse or secondary malignancies) were compared to an age-adjusted German reference sample (n = 659). RESULTS: While the global and physical QoL scores were comparable to those of the general population, survivors' mean scores were more than 10 points lower on the EORTC QLQ-C30 scales "Emotional" and "Social Functioning". On the symptom scales, higher mean scores, exceeding 10 points, were obtained for the scales "Fatigue" and "Sleep". In general, there was a gender effect showing lower functioning and higher symptom levels in women, most prominently in the group of young women (21-25 years). The results within the group of HD survivors could not be associated with the time since treatment, the age of HD survivors at diagnosis or the extent of therapy burden. CONCLUSION: Clinicians engaged in follow-up care should be sensitive to aspects of fatigue and related (emotional) symptoms in HD childhood cancer survivors and encourage their patients to seek further support if needed.

VersKiK qualitative study design: actual follow-up needs of paediatric cancer survivors, their informal caregivers and follow-up stakeholder perceptions in Germany.

INTRODUCTION: This article presents the study design of the qualitative part of the VersKiK study (Long-term care, care needs and wellbeing of individuals after cancer in childhood or adolescence: study protocol of a large scale multi-methods non-interventional study) aiming to explore actual follow-up needs of childhood and adolescence cancer survivors and their informal caregivers, gaps in current follow-up care provision and trajectories of cancer survivors' transition from paediatric to adult healthcare. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct up to 30 interviews with survivors of childhood and adolescence cancer and their informal caregivers with up to 20 participant observations of follow-up appointments. The results of these will be discussed in up to four focus groups with healthcare professionals and representatives of self-help groups. The study design aims to evaluate follow-up care after childhood cancer considering perspectives from survivors, their informal caregivers as well as healthcare providers. The combination of different data sources will allow us to get an in-depth understanding of the current state of follow-up care after paediatric cancer in Germany and to suggest recommendations for care improvement. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The VersKiK study was approved by the Ethics Committee Otto von Guericke University on 2 July 2021 (103/21), by the Ethics Committee of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz on 16 June 2021 (2021-16035), by the Ethics Committee University of Lübeck on 10 November 2021 (21-451), by the Ethics Committee University of Hospital Bonn on 28 February 2022 (05/22). For each part of the qualitative study, a separate written informed consent is prepared and approved accordingly by the ethics committees named above. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Registered at German Clinical Trial Register, ID: DRKS00026092.

Brief Internet-based intervention reduces posttraumatic stress and prolonged grief in parents after the loss of a child during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The loss of a child during pregnancy causes significant psychological distress for many women and their partners, and may lead to long-lasting psychiatric disorders. Internet-based interventions using exposure techniques and cognitive restructuring have proved effective for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and prolonged grief. This study compared the effects of an Internet-based intervention for parents after prenatal loss with a waiting list condition (WLC). METHODS: The Impact of Event Scale - Revised assessed symptoms of PTSD; the Inventory of Complicated Grief and the Brief Symptom Inventory assessed depression, anxiety, and general mental health. The 228 participants (92% female) were randomly allocated to a treatment group (TG; n = 115) or a WLC group (n = 113). The TG received a 5-week cognitive behavioral intervention including (1) self-confrontation, (2) cognitive restructuring, and (3) social sharing. RESULTS: The TG showed significantly reduced symptoms of posttraumatic stress, prolonged grief, depression, and anxiety relative to the WLC control group. Intention-to-treat analysis revealed treatment effects of between d = 0.84 and d = 1.02 for posttraumatic stress and prolonged grief from pre- to posttreatment time points. Further significant improvement in all symptoms of PTSD and prolonged grief was found from the posttreatment evaluation to the 12-month follow-up. The attrition rate of 14% was relatively low. CONCLUSIONS: The Internet-based intervention proved to be a feasible and cost-effective treatment, reducing symptoms of posttraumatic stress, grief, depression, anxiety, and general mental health after pregnancy loss. Low-threshold e-health interventions should be further evaluated and implemented routinely to improve psychological support after pregnancy loss.

Updated International Guidelines for Survivorship Care after Pediatric Cancer: Practice Implications in a German and Austrian Comprehensive Care Network.

BACKGROUND: Timely diagnosis of treatment-related chronic health conditions in childhood cancer survivors (CCS) may result in reduced long-term morbidity and mortality. Evidence-based guidelines serve as a tool to implement risk-adapted screening examinations in long-term follow-up (LTFU) of CCS. SUMMARY: New international LTFU guidelines from the last 3 years have been reviewed and included into a practical LTFU tool in order to provide an updated summary of LTFU recommendations. The inclusion of 13 new LTFU guidelines as well as 25 pragmatic recommendations resulted in an updated LTFU plan for implantation in daily practice. Special consideration of psychosocial and mental health aspects as well as recommendations for pregnant CCS complement holistic LTFU care. KEY MESSAGES: Risk-adapted LTFU in CCS offers the possibility for early detection and treatment of late effects. As these LTFU recommendations aim at asymptomatic individuals, benefits and potential risks of regular screening examinations have to be carefully balanced. Implementation of current evidence-based guidelines in clinical practice as well as the development of new application tools such as the Survivorship Passport can contribute to an individualized LTFU approach in order to ensure long-term health and quality of life in CCS.

Pencil Beam Scanning Proton Therapy for Adolescents and Young Adults with Head and Neck Sarcomas.

Purpose: To assess clinical outcomes of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with head and neck sarcomas (HNSs) treated with pencil beam scanning proton therapy (PBSPT) and to report quality of life (QoL). Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight AYAs (aged 15 to 39 years) with HNS treated between January 2001 and July 2022 at our institution were included. The median age was 21.6 years. Rhabdomyosarcoma (39.3%), Ewing sarcoma (17.9%), chondrosarcoma (14.3%), and osteosarcoma (14.3%) were the most frequent diagnoses. Three (10.7%) patients were metastatic before PBSPT and 13 (46.4%) patients had a tumor with intracranial extension. The median total radiation dose was 63 GyRBE (range, 45 to 74 GyRBE). Thirteen (46.4%) patients received concomitant chemotherapy. Toxicity was reported according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 5.0 (US National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland). Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. QoL was assessed using a PEDQOL (Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire) questionnaire. Self-reported outcomes were assessed using institutional questionnaires. Results: With a median follow-up of 57 months (range, 3.7 to 243 months), 5 patients (17.8%) had local failure (LF) only, 2 (7.1%) experienced distant failure (DF) only, and 2 (7.1%) had LF and DF. The estimated 5-year local control (LC) and distant control (DC) rates were 71.8% and 80.5%, respectively. The median times to LF and DF were 13.4 and 22.2 months, respectively. Four (14.3%) patients died, all but one from their HNS. Estimated 5-year overall survival was 90.7%. Six (21.4%) patients developed nonocular grade ≥3 toxicity, which consisted of otitis media (n = 2), hearing impairment (n = 2), osteoradionecrosis (n = 1), and sinusitis (n = 1). Four (14.3%) patients developed cataracts that required surgery. The 5-year freedom from nonocular grade 3 toxicity was 91.1%. No grade 4 or higher toxicity was observed. Adolescents rated their quality of life before treatment worse than their parents did. Conclusion: Excellent outcomes with acceptable late-toxicity rates were observed for AYAs with HNS after PBSPT.

Quality of Life, Clinical, and Patient-Reported Outcomes after Pencil Beam Scanning Proton Therapy Delivered for Intracranial Grade WHO 1-2 Meningioma in Children and Adolescents.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report the clinical and patient-reported outcomes of children and adolescents with intracranial meningioma treated with pencil beam scanning proton therapy (PBS-PT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Out of a total cohort of 207 intracranial meningioma patients treated with PBS-PT between 1999 and 2022, 10 (4.8%) were children or adolescents aged < 18 years. Median age was 13.9 years (range, 3.2-17.2). Six (60%) children were treated as primary treatment (postoperative PT, n = 4; exclusive PT, n = 2) and four (40%) at the time of tumor recurrence. Acute and late toxicities were registered according to Common Terminology Criteria of Adverse Events (CTCAE). Quality of life (QoL) before PBS-PT was assessed using PEDQOL questionnaires. Educational, functional, and social aspects after PT were assessed through our in-house developed follow-up surveys. Median follow-up time was 71.1 months (range, 2.5-249.7), and median time to last questionnaire available was 37.6 months (range, 5.75-112.6). RESULTS: Five (50%) children developed local failure (LF) at a median time of 32.4 months (range, 17.7-55.4) after PBS-PT and four (80%) were considered in-field. One patient died of T-cell lymphoma 127.1 months after PBS-PT. Estimated 5-year local control (LC) and overall survival (OS) rates were 19.4% and 100.0%, respectively. Except for one patient who developed a cataract requiring surgery, no grade ≥3 late toxicities were reported. Before PT, patients rated their QoL lower than their parents in most domains. During the first year after PT, one child required educational support, one needed to attend to a special school, one had social problems and another three children required assistance for daily basic activities (DBA). Three years after PT, only one child required assistance for DBA. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of children with intracranial meningioma treated with PBS-PT is in line with other centers who have reported results of radiation therapy delivered to this particular patient group. This therapy provides acceptable functional status profiles with no high-grade adverse radiation-induced events.

Implementation of a clinical long-term follow-up database for adult childhood cancer survivors in Germany: a feasibility study at two specialised late effects clinics.

PURPOSE: Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at risk for increased morbidity and reduced quality of life associated with treatment-related late effects. In Germany, however, only a few of the more than 40,000 CCS registered in the German Childhood Cancer Registry (GCCR) currently benefit from adequate clinical long-term follow-up (LTFU) structures. To establish a comprehensive knowledge base on CCS' long-term health in Germany, a database was developed in cooperation with the GCCR. Following a first evaluation phase at two German university centres, this database will be implemented more widely within Germany allowing longitudinal documentation of clinical LTFU data. METHODS: The feasibility study cohort comprised 208 CCS aged 18 or older whose medical, mental and psychosocial health data were collected during routine LTFU or first clinic visits in adult care. CCS were enrolled from 04/2021 to 12/2022, and data entry was completed by 03/2023. Descriptive data analysis was conducted. All CCS were stratified into three risk groups (RG) based on their individual risk for developing late effects resulting from their respective diagnoses and treatments. RESULTS: Chronic health conditions of various organ systems associated with late and long-term effects of cancer therapy affected CCS in all RG supporting the clinical relevance of risk-adapted LTFU. Enrolment into the database was feasible and broadly accepted amongst CCS. CONCLUSION: Implementation of a clinical follow-up care infrastructure and database in Germany will pave the way to collect clinically evaluated and regularly updated health data of potentially over 40,000 German CCS and facilitate future national and international cooperation.

Auditory complications among childhood cancer survivors and health-related quality of life: a PanCareLIFE study.

PURPOSE: Auditory complications are potential side effects from childhood cancer treatment. Yet, limited evidence exists about the impact of auditory complications-particularly tinnitus-on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among childhood cancer survivors (CCS). We determined the prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus in the European PanCareLIFE cohort of CCS and examined its effect on HRQoL. METHODS: We included CCS from four European countries who were diagnosed at age ≤ 18 years; survived ≥ 5 years; and aged 25-44 years at study. We assessed HRQoL (Short Form 36), hearing loss, and tinnitus using questionnaires. We used multivariable linear regression to examine associations between these two auditory complications and HRQoL adjusting for socio-demographic and clinical factors. RESULTS: Our study population consisted of 6,318 CCS (53% female; median age at cancer diagnosis 9 years interquartile range [IQR] 5-13 years) with median age at survey of 31 years (IQR 28-35 years). Prevalence was 7.5% (476/6,318; confidence interval [CI]: 6.9-8.2) for hearing loss and 7.6% (127/1,668; CI: 6.4-9.0) for tinnitus. CCS with hearing loss had impaired physical (coefficient [coef.] -4.3, CI: -7.0 to -1.6) and mental (coef. -3.2, CI: -5.5 to -0.8) HRQoL when compared with CCS with normal hearing. Tinnitus was associated with impaired physical (coef. -8.2, CI: -11.8 to -4.7) and mental (coef. -5.9, CI: -8.8 to -3.1) HRQoL. CONCLUSION: We observed reduced HRQoL among CCS with hearing loss and tinnitus. Our findings indicate timely treatment of hearing loss and tinnitus may contribute to quality of life of survivors. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: CCS who experience auditory complications should be counseled about possible therapeutic and supportive measures during follow-up care.

Linking EORTC QLQ-C-30 and PedsQL/PEDQOL physical functioning scores in patients with osteosarcoma.

PURPOSE: The available questionnaires for quality-of-life (QoL) assessments are age-group specific, limiting comparability and impeding longitudinal analyses. The comparability of measurements, however, is a necessary condition for gaining scientific evidence. To overcome this problem, we assessed the viability of harmonising data from paediatric and adult patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures. METHOD: To this end, we linked physical functioning scores from the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and the Paediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire (PEDQOL) to the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) for adults. Samples from the EURAMOS-1 QoL sub-study of 75 (PedsQL) and 112 (PEDQOL) adolescent osteosarcoma patients were concurrently administered both paediatric and adult questionnaires on 98 (PedsQL) and 156 (PEDQOL) occasions. We identified corresponding scores using the single-group equipercentile linking method. RESULTS: Linked physical functioning scores showed sufficient concordance to the EORTC QLQ-C30: Lin's ρ = 0.74 (PedsQL) and Lin's ρ = 0.64 (PEDQOL). CONCLUSION: Score linking provides clinicians and researchers with a common metric for assessing QoL with PRO measures across the entire lifespan of patients.

Efficacy of cognitive behavioral internet-based therapy in parents after the loss of a child during pregnancy: pilot data from a randomized controlled trial.

The loss of a child during pregnancy can be a traumatic event associated with long-lasting grief and psychological distress. This study examined the efficacy of an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program for mothers after pregnancy loss. In a randomized controlled trial with a waiting list control group, 83 participants who had lost a child during pregnancy were randomly allocated either to 5 weeks of internet therapy or to a 5-week waiting condition. Within a manualized cognitive behavioral treatment program, participants wrote ten essays on loss-specific topics. Posttraumatic stress, grief, and general psychopathology, especially depression, were assessed pretreatment, posttreatment, and at 3-month follow-up. Intention-to-treat analyses and completer analyses were performed. Relative to controls, participants in the treatment group showed significant improvements in posttraumatic stress, grief, depression, and overall mental health, but not in anxiety or somatization. Medium to large effect sizes were observed, and the improvement was maintained at 3-month follow-up. This internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program represents an effective treatment approach with stable effects for women after pregnancy loss. Implementation of the program can thus help to improve the health care provision for mothers in this traumatic loss situation.

Health outcomes in offspring born to survivors of childhood cancers following assisted reproductive technologies.

PURPOSE: An increasing number of childhood cancer survivors are using assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to overcome treatment-related fertility impairment. We report perinatal and health outcomes of offspring born to survivors following ART. METHODS: The FeCt Multicenter Offspring Study surveyed the health of offspring of childhood cancer survivors. Health outcomes in offspring born to survivors following ART (n = 57, 4.6%) or after spontaneous conception (n = 1182) were assessed in the German cohort (n = 1239) using bivariate analysis. Findings were put into the context of the general German population by health outcome assessment in 1:1 matched-pair analysis (n = 2478). RESULTS: Nearly twice the survivors used ART compared with numbers reported for the German general population (4.6% vs. 2.6%). Successful pregnancies were achieved after a median of two cycles, mainly using non-cryopreserved oocytes/sperm. Multiple sibling births (p < 0.001, 28.1% vs. 3.0%) and low birth weight (p = 0.008; OR = 2.659, 95% CI = 1.258-5.621) occurred significantly more often in offspring born to survivors who utilized ART than spontaneously conceived children, whereas similar percentages were born preterm or too small for their gestational age. ART did not increase the prevalence of childhood cancer or congenital malformations in offspring born to survivors. CONCLUSION: ART use by childhood cancer survivors was successful with both fresh and cryopreserved oocytes/sperm, and did not influence perinatal health or health outcomes when known confounders were taken into account. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Oncofertility is an important component of patient care. Our study implicates that the utilization of ART by adult survivors of childhood cancer does not put offspring at additional risk for adverse perinatal or health outcomes.