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Handbook of Long Term Care of The Childhood Cancer Survivor pp 265–282Cite as

Psychological Challenges and Adaptation in Long-Term Survivors of Childhood Cancer

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Part of the book series: Specialty Topics in Pediatric Neuropsychology ((STPN))

Abstract

While the majority of childhood cancer survivors will have successful psychosocial adaptation after treatment, childhood cancer and its associated late-effects increase the risk for adaptive challenges and psychological symptoms later in life. In this chapter we focus on understanding the psychological and adaptive challenges that arise in this population in the areas of psychological symptoms, quality-of-life (QOL), and social adaptation. Risk factors for poor psychosocial and QOL outcomes, as well as high-risk survivor groups, and the role of professionals in identifying and addressing survivors with poor adaptive outcomes are also presented. Results of research studies, particularly studies of large cohorts of survivors are presented to frame the prevalence and types of problems common in this group, and information and case examples drawn from clinical experience are presented to complement this research and to illuminate the effects of cancer on individual survivors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Christopher J. Recklitis Ph.D., M.P.H. & Cori Liptak Ph.D.

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  1. Christopher J. Recklitis Ph.D., M.P.H.
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  2. Cori Liptak Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Christopher J. Recklitis Ph.D., M.P.H. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Psychology, CHOC Children’s Hospital, Neuropsychology Services, Orange, Newport Beach, California, USA

    Grace A. Mucci

  2. Division of Oncology, CHOC After Cancer Treatment Survivorship Program, CHOC Children’s Hospital, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, Orange, California, USA

    Lilibeth R. Torno

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Recklitis, C.J., Liptak, C. (2015). Psychological Challenges and Adaptation in Long-Term Survivors of Childhood Cancer. In: Mucci, G., Torno, L. (eds) Handbook of Long Term Care of The Childhood Cancer Survivor. Specialty Topics in Pediatric Neuropsychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7584-3_17

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