A prospective follow-up of quality of life, depression, and anxiety in children with lymphoma and solid tumors

Background/aim: The aim of this study was the determination and prospective follow-up of quality of life, depression, and anxiety in pediatric patients with cancer under chemotherapy, as well as the evaluation of related factors. Materials and methods: Fifty newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients and their parents were prospectively monitored before, during, and after therapy, and tests were used. Results: Significantly lower quality of life scores were recorded during treatment, in the group with CNS tumors, in the group receiving chemotherapy plus radiotherapy plus surgery, in the inpatient-only treatment group, in the group receiving treatment for longer than 6 months, and in the group of patients whose diagnosis was delayed for more than 3 months. Total quality of life scores for children and their parents were 82.95 ± 14.59 vs. 83.61 ± 14.60 before, 54.69 ± 16.51 vs. 55.78 ± 16.05 during, and 83.88 ± 12.44 vs. 84.19 ± 13.22 at the end of treatment (P < 0.05). Anxiety and depression scores were significantly higher during treatment, in patients whose diagnoses were delayed for more than 3 months, and among inpatients. Conclusion: The quality of life of a majority of our patients was severely affected, and depression and anxiety were more frequently seen especially during treatment.

Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Survivors: Perceptions of Children, Siblings, and Parents

Objective: We investigated the health-related quality of life (HRQL) in survivors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and evaluated the perceptions of the children, their siblings, and their parents. Materials and Methods: Seventy ALL survivors, who were between 7 and 17 years of age and had completed therapy ≥2 years, were included. The control group consisted of their healthy siblings. HRQL was assessed by the age-specific KINDLR questionnaire. Results: No significant differences could be found among HRQL scores of ALL survivors with respect to variables such as sex, risk group, and having chronic illness. HRQL scores for physical well-being, emotional well-being, family, and social functioning of the patient and sibling self-reports and parent proxy reports were lower than the expected values for healthy and chronically ill children. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that both ALL survivors and their families need help via psychological counseling programs to improve their HRQL even after completion of therapy.

Health-Related Quality of Life, Depression, Anxiety, and Self-Image in Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Survivors.

OBJECTIVE: With increasing survival rates in childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), the long-term side effects of treatment have become important. Our aim was to investigate health-related quality of life, depression, anxiety, and self-image among ALL survivors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients diagnosed with ALL and their siblings were enrolled. The Kovacs Children's Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Offer Self-Image Questionnaire, and Pediatric Quality of Life InventoryTM were used for collecting data. ANOVA tests were used to determine if there were any significant differences between groups. RESULTS: ALL survivors had higher depression, more anxiety symptoms, lower quality of life, and more negative self-image when compared to their siblings. CONCLUSION: Continuous diagnostic and interventional mental health services might be necessary for possible emotional side effects of treatment during and after the treatment. Rehabilitation and follow-up programs should be implemented for children during and after treatment for ALL.