Abstract
The diagnosis of a bone tumor in childhood is a significant stressor that has implications for the psychosocial well-being of the entire family from diagnosis to survivorship and/or end of life. In general, many children with cancer adjust well over the first year, but there is greater risk for parent distress, particularly among mothers. Risk for psychosocial difficulties is also elevated for parents and siblings who are bereaved. Supportive care should be interdisciplinary and evidence-based to address information needs, decision making, adjustment, and long-term challenges. Consideration of the family system and developmental context of the diagnosis and treatment is important. Because the vast majority of research to date has not focused on outcomes for families of children with bone tumors specifically, implications for future research are also described.
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Gerhardt, C.A., Steele, A.C., Thompson, A.L., Young-Saleme, T.K. (2015). Psychosocial Effects of Pediatric Bone Tumors and Recommendations for Supportive Care. In: Cripe, T., Yeager, N. (eds) Malignant Pediatric Bone Tumors - Treatment & Management. Pediatric Oncology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18099-1_12
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