Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Childhood Cancer

  • Chapter
Handbook of Child Psychopathology

Abstract

Pediatric oncology is a field in which psychological research and intervention have evolved in parallel with changing medical realities and demands. Advances in biomedical technology since the 1960s and an improved prognosis for a large proportion of children with cancer have shifted the psychosocial focus from death and bereavement to an increasing emphasis on coping with aggressive treatment regimens, adaptation and return to routine functioning, and survivorship (Kellerman, 1980; Koocher & O’Malley, 1981; Varni & Katz, 1987). In addition to a deeper understanding of the range of psychological issues facing children with cancer and their families, the linking of behavioral and medical sciences has resulted in more sophisticated behavioral research techniques and specific treatment approaches that can be applied to other chronically ill populations. In this sense, pediatric oncology serves as a model area for the practice of pediatric psychology and behavioral medicine.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Armstrong, G. D., and Martinson, I. M. (1980). Death, dying, and terminal care: Dying at home. In J. Kellerman (Ed.), Psychological aspects of childhood cancer. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blotcky, A. D., Cohen, D. G., Conaster, C., and Klopovich, P. (1985). Psychosocial characteristics of adolescents who refuse cancer treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 53, 729–731.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cairns, N. U., Clark, G. M., Smith, S. D., and Lansky, S. B. (1979). Adaptation of siblings to childhood malignancy. Journal of Pediatrics, 95, 484–487.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Copeland, D. R., Pfefferbaum, B., Fletcher, J. Jaffe, N., and Culbert, S. (1982). Neuropsychological functioning of longterm survivors of childhood cancer. Proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 1, 1–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Copeland, D. R., Fletcher, J. M., Pfefferbaum, B., Jaffe, N., Ried, H. L., and Maor, A. (1985). Neuropsychological sequelae of childhood cancer in long-term survivors. Pediatrics, 75, 745–753.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dash, J. (1980). Hypnosis for symptom amelioration. In J. Kellerman (Ed.), Psychological aspects of childhood cancer. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deasy-Spinetta, P., and Spinetta, J. J. (1980). The child with cancer in school: Teacher’s appraisal. American Journal of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, 2, 89–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dolgin, M. J. (1987). Behavioral effects of chemotherapy in children and adolescents with cancer. Proceedings of the American Cancer Society Western Regional Conference on Psychosocial Aspects of Cancer Care, Los Angeles.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dolgin, M. J., Katz, E. R., and Doctors, S. R. (1984). Therapeutic adherence in adolescents with cancer. Paper presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Philadelphia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dolgin, M. J., Katz, E. R., McGinty, K., and Siegel, S. E. (1985). Anticipatory nausea and vomiting in pediatric cancer patients. Pediatrics, 75, 547–552.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dolgin, M. J., Katz, E. R., Doctors, S. R., and Siegel, S. E. (1986a). Caregivers’ perceptions of medical compliance in adolescents with cancer. Journal of Adolescent Health Care, 7, 22–27.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dolgin, M. J., Katz, E. R., and Siegel, S. E. (1986b). Noncompliance in adolescents with cancer: Impact on treatment outcome. Paper presented at the meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, San Francisco, California.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dolgin, M. J., Katz, E. R., andZeltzer, L. K. (1987). Predictors of anticipatory nausea/vomiting and distress in children with cancer receiving chemotherapy. Paper presented at the International Society of Pediatric Oncology, Jerusalem, Israel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dolgin, M. J., Katz, E. R., Zeltzer, L. K., and Landsverk, J. (in press). Behavioral distress in pediatric cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Pediatrics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eilenberg, L., Kellerman, J., Dash, J., Higgins, G., and Zeltzer, L. (1980). Use of hypnosis for multiple symptoms in an adolescent girl with leukemia. Journal of Adolescent Health Care, 1, 132–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feinberg, D. (1970). Preventive therapy with siblings of a dying child. Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 9, 644–668.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fletcher, J. M., and Copeland, D. R. (in press). Neurobehavioral effects of central nervous system prophylactic treatment of cancer in children. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frytak, S., and Moertel, C. G. (1981). Management of nausea and vomiting in the cancer patient. Journal of American Medical Association, 245, 393–396.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, G. G., and Olness, K. (1981). Hypnosis and hypnotherapy with Children. New York: Grune and Stratton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hilgard, J. R., and LeBaron, S. (1982). Relief of anxiety and pain in children and adolescents with cancer: Quantitative measures and clinical observations. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 32, 417–442.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hilgard, J. R., and LeBaron, S. (1984). Hypnotherapy of pain in children with cancer. Los Altos, CA: Kaufmann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jay, S. M. (1988). Invasive medical procedures. In D. K. Routh (Ed.), Handbook of pediatric psychology. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jay, S. M., and Elliott, C. M. (1983). Psychological intervention for pain in pediatric cancer patients. In G. B. Humphrey, L. P. Dehner, G. B. Grindey, and R. T. Acton (Eds.), Pediatric oncology. Boston: Martinus Nijhoff.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jay, S. M., and Elliott, C. H. (1984). Behavioral observation scales for measuring children’s distress: The effects of increased methodological rigor. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 52, 1106–1107.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jay, S. M., and Elliott, C. H. Distress in pediatric cancer patients and their parents. National Cancer Institute (ROI CA-3487104) in progress.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jay, S. M., Ozolins, M., Elliott, C. H., and Caldwell, S. (1983). Assessment of children’s distress during painful medical procedures. Health Psychology, 2, 133–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jay, S. M., Elliott, C. H., Ozolins, M., Olson, R., and Pruitt, S. (1985). Behavioral management of children’s distress during painful medical procedures. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 23, 513–520.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jay, S. M., Elliott, C. H., and Varni, J. W. (1986). Acute and chronic pain in adults and children with cancer. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 5, 601–607.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jay, S. M., Elliott, C. H., Katz, E. R., and Siegel, S. E. (1987). Cognitive behavioral and pharmacologic interventions for children’s distress during painful medical procedures: A treatment outcome study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55, 860–865.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kalins, I. V., Churchill, M. P., and Terry, G. E. (1980). Concurrent stresses in families with a leukemic child. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 5, 81–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, E. R. (1980). Illness impact and social reintegration. In J. Kellerman (Ed.), Psychological aspects of childhood cancer. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Katz, E. R. (1982). Conditioned aversions to chemotherapy. Psychosomatics, 23, 650–651.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, E. R. (1985a). School and social reintegration of the child with cancer. Final Report of American Cancer Society California, Division Contract No. 546–5-E.

    Google Scholar 

  • Katz, E. R. (1985b). Talking to the dying child. Paper presented at the First International Meeting of Children’s Hospice International, Washington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Katz, E. R., and Ingle, M. (1988). School and the seriously ill child. In K. Ruccione (Ed.), Pediatric hospice practice manual. New York: Haworth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Katz, E. R., and Jay, S. M. (1984). Psychological aspects of cancer in children, adolescents, and their families. Clinical Psychology Review, 4, 525–542.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, E. R., Dolgin, M. J., and Varni, J. W. (1988). Cancer in children and adolescents. In A. M. Gross and R. S. Drabman (Eds.), Handbook of clinical behavioral pediatrics. New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Katz, E. R., Kellerman, J., and Siegel, S. E. (1980). Behavioral distress in children with cancer undergoing medical procedures: Developmental considerations. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 48, 356–365.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, E. R., Kellerman, J., and Siegel, S. E. (1981). Anxiety as an affective focus in the clinical study of acute behavioral distress: A reply to Shacham and Dant. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 49, 470–471.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, E. R., Kellerman, J., and Ellenberg, L. (1987). Hypnosis in the reduction of acute pain and distress in children with leukemia. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 12, 379–393.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keane, W. M. (1980). Hypnosis with pediatric cancer patients: Giving control in an uncontrollable situation. Paper presented at the American Psychological Association, Montreal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kellerman, J. (Ed.). (1980). Psychological aspects of cancer in children. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kellerman, J., and Katz, E. R. (1977). The adolescent with cancer: Theoretical, clinical, and research issues. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 2, 127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kellerman, J., and Katz, E. R. (1979). Psychological problems of children with cancer. Unpublished manuscript.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kellerman, J., Moss, H. A., and Siegel, S. E. (1982). WISC-R verbal/performance discrepency in children with cancer: A statistical quirk? Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 7, 263–266.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kellerman, J., Rigler, D., Siegel, S. E., and Katz, E. R. (1977). Disease-related communication and depression in pediatric cancer patients. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 2, 52–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolko, D. J., and Richard-Figueroa, J. L. (1985). Effects of video games on the adverse corollaries of chemotherapy in pediatric oncology patients. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 53, 223–228.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Koocher, G. P., and O’Malley, J. E. (1981). The Damocles syndrome. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kupst, M. J., Schulman, J. L., Maurer, H., Honig, G., Morgan, E., and Fochtman, D. (1984). Coping with pediatric leukemia: A two-year follow-up. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 9, 149–163.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • LaBaw, W., Holton, C., Tewell, K., and Eccles, D. (1975). The use of self-hypnosis by children with cancer. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 17, 233–238.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lansky, S. B., Cairns, N. U., Clark, G. M., Lowman, J., Miller, L., and Truewirthy, R. (1979). Childhood cancer: The nonmedical costs of the illness. Cancer, 43, 403–408.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lansky, S. B., Vats, T., and Cairns, N. U. (1979). Refusal of treatment: A new dilemma for oncologists. American Journal of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, 3, 277–282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lansky, S. B., Cairns, N. U., and Awartjes, W. (1983a). School attendance among children with cancer: A report from two centers. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 1, 75–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lansky, S. B., Smith, S. D., Cairns, N. U., and Cairns, G. F. (1983b). Psychological correlates of compliance. American Journal of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, 5, 87–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • LeBaron, S., and Zeltzer, L. K. (1984). Behavioral intervention for reducing chemotherapy related nausea and vomiting in adolescents with cancer. Journal of Adolescent Health Care, 5, 178–182.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCue, K. (1980). Preparing children for medical procedures. In J. Kellerman (Ed.), Psychological aspects of childhood cancer. St. Louis: Charles C Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meadows, A. T., Gordon, J., Massani, D. J., Littman, P., Ferguson, J., and Moss, K. (1981). Declines in I.Q. scores and cognitive dysfunction in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia treated with cranial irradiation. Lancet, 2, 1015–1018.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Melamed, B. G., and Seigel, L. J. (1975). Reduction of anxiety in children facing hospitalization and surgery by use of filmed modeling. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 43, 511–521.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, J. A. (1980). Hypnosis in a boy with leukemia. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 22, 231–236.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miser, A. W., Dothage, J. A., Wesley, R. A., and Wesley, J. S. (1987). The prevalence of pain in a pediatric and young adult cancer population. Pain, 29, 73–84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morrow, G. R., Carpenter, P. J., and Hoagland, A. C. (1984). The role of social support in parental adjustment to pediatric cancer. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 9, 317–329.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nitschke, R., Humphrey, G. B., Sexauer, C. L., Catron, B., Wunder, S., and Jay, S. M. (1982). Therapeutic choices made by patients with end-stage cancer. Journal of Pediatrics, 101, 471–476.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Olness, K. (1981). Imagery (self-hypnosis) as adjunct therapy in childhood cancer: Clinical experience with 25 patients. American Journal of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, 3, 313–321.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pratt, C. B. (1985). Some aspects of childhood cancer epidemiology. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 32, 541–556.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rando, T. A. (1983). An investigation of grief and adaptation in parents whose children have died of cancer. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 8, 3–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Redd, W. H., and Andresen, G. V. (1981). Conditioned aversions in cancer patients. Behavior Therapist, 4, 3–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Redd, W., Jacobsen, P. B., Die-Trill, M., Dermatis, H., McEvoy, M., and Holland, J. C. (1987). Cognitive/attentional

    Google Scholar 

  • distraction in the control of conditioned nausea in pediatric cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55,391–395.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robison, L. L., Nesbit, M. E., Sather, H. N., Meadows, A. T., Ortega, J. A., and Hammond, G. D. (1984). Factors associated with I.Q. scores in long-term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. American Journal of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, 6, 115–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, S. E. (1980). The current outlook for childhood cancer: the medical background. In. J. Kellerman (Ed.), Psychological aspects of childhood cancer. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silverman, E. (1979). Cancer statistics. Cancer, 29, 6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, S. D., Rosen, D., Trueworthy, R. C., and Lowman, J. T. (1979). A reliable method for evaluating drug compliance in children with cancer. Cancer, 43, 169–173.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, S. D., Cairns, N. U., and Sturgeon, J. K. (1981). Poor drug compliance in an adolescent with leukemia. American Journal of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, 3,297–300.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sourkes, B. (1980). Siblings of the pediatric cancer patient. In J. Kellerman (Ed.), Psychological aspects of childhood cancer. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spinetta, J. J. (1974). The dying child’s awareness of death: A review. Psychological Bulletin, 81, 256–260.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spinetta, J. J. (1980). Disease-related communication: How to tell. In J. Kellerman (Ed.), Psychological aspects of childhood cancer. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spinetta, J. J., and Deasy-Spinetta, P. (1981). Living with childhood cancer. St. Louis: C. V. Mosby.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spinetta, J. J., and Maloney, L. J. (1978). The child with cancer: Patterns of communication and denial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 46, 1540–1541.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spinetta, J. J., Swarner, J. A., and Sheposh, J. P. (1981). Effective parental coping following the death of a child with cancer. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 6, 251–263.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spirito, A., Hewett, C., Masek, B., and Katz, S. (1987). Anticipatory nausea/vomiting patterns in pediatric cancer patients on chemotherapy protocols with moderate and severe emetic potential. Paper presented at the Meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Washington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sposto, R., and Hammond, G. D. (1985). Survival in childhood cancer. Clinics in Oncology, 4, 195–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutow, W. W., Fernbach, D. J., and Vietti, T. J. (1981). Clinical pediatric oncology. St. Louis: C. V. Mosby.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teta, M. J., Del Po, M. C., Kasl, S. V., Meiggs, J. W., Myers, M. H., and Mulvihill J. J. (1986). Psychosocial consequences of childhood and adolescent cancer survival. Journal of Chronic Disease, 39, 751–759.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vami, J. W. (1983). Clinical behavioral pediatrics. New York: Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Varni, J. W., and Katz, E. R. (1987). Psychological aspects of childhood cancer: An empirical review. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 5, 93–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Varni, J. W., Thompson, K. L., and Hanson, V. (1987). The Vami-Thompson Pediatric Pain Questionnaire: Chronic musculoskeletal pain in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Pain, 28, 27–38.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zeltzer, L. (1980). The adolescent with cancer. In J. Kellerman (Ed.), Psychological aspects of childhood cancer. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeltzer, L., and LeBaron, S. (1982). Hypnosis and non-hypnotic techniques for reduction of pain and anxiety during painful procedures in children and adolescents with cancer. Journal of Pediatrics 101, 1032–1035.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zeltzer, L., Kellerman, J., Ellenberg, L., Dash, J., and Rigler, D. (1980). Psychologic effects of illness in adolescence: 2. Impact of illness in adolescents: Crucial issues and coping styles. Journal of Pediatrics, 97, 132–138.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zeltzer, L., Kellerman, J., Ellenberg, L., and Dash, J. (1983). Hypnosis for reduction of vomiting associated with chemotherapy and disease in adolescents with cancer. Journal of Adolescent Health Care, 4, 77–84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zeltzer, L. K., LeBaron, S., and Zeltzer, P. M. (1984). The effectiveness of behavioral intervention for reducing nausea and vomiting in children and adolescents receiving chemotherapy. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2, 683–690.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Hematology-Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, University of Southern California, School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, 90027, USA

    Michael J. Dolgin & Susan M. Jay

Authors
  1. Michael J. Dolgin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Susan M. Jay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA

    Thomas H. Ollendick

  2. Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Michel Hersen

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1989 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Dolgin, M.J., Jay, S.M. (1989). Childhood Cancer. In: Ollendick, T.H., Hersen, M. (eds) Handbook of Child Psychopathology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1162-2_17

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1162-2_17

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-1164-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-1162-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation