PapersFlow Research Brief
Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
Research Guide
What is Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life?
Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life refers to the health-related quality of life outcomes, including physical, psychosocial, and neurocognitive domains, assessed in pediatric cancer survivors through tools such as the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory and the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.
Research encompasses 82,074 works on pediatric cancer survivorship and health-related quality of life assessments in children and adolescents. Key instruments include the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™), with Varni et al. (2001) demonstrating its reliability and validity across healthy and patient populations in "PedsQL™ 4.0: Reliability and Validity of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Version 4.0 Generic Core Scales in Healthy and Patient Populations" (4881 citations). Studies address parent-proxy reports, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and long-term effects using measures like the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy scale by Cella et al. (1993).
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory
This sub-topic validates and applies the PedsQL instrument to measure health-related quality of life in pediatric cancer patients across domains. Researchers assess reliability, responsiveness, and cross-cultural adaptations.
Childhood Cancer Survivor Study
This sub-topic analyzes longitudinal data from the CCSS cohort on late effects including cardiac, endocrine, and secondary malignancies in survivors. Researchers identify risk factors and intervention needs.
Psychosocial Outcomes in Pediatric Cancer
This sub-topic examines anxiety, depression, peer relationships, and family dynamics in children with cancer and survivors. Researchers evaluate interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Neurocognitive Outcomes Pediatric Cancer
This sub-topic studies deficits in attention, processing speed, and IQ following treatments like chemotherapy and cranial radiation. Researchers explore neuroprotective strategies and remediation programs.
Pediatric Palliative Care in Oncology
This sub-topic focuses on symptom management, family support, and end-of-life care for children with advanced cancer. Researchers develop models integrating palliative care early in the disease trajectory.
Why It Matters
Validated instruments enable precise monitoring of survivors' physical functioning, emotional well-being, and social integration post-treatment. Varni et al. (2001) established the reliability of PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales for clinical trials and pediatric practice, supporting interventions that improve daily functioning in 854 patients across validation phases. Cella et al. (1993) developed the 33-item Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) scale, validated in cancer patients to track treatment impacts on quality of life. These tools inform survivorship care in pediatric oncology, addressing psychosocial outcomes and neurocognitive deficits identified in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"PedsQL™ 4.0: Reliability and Validity of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Version 4.0 Generic Core Scales in Healthy and Patient Populations" by Varni et al. (2001), as it provides foundational validation of a core instrument directly applicable to pediatric cancer quality-of-life assessments.
Key Papers Explained
Varni et al. (2001) in "PedsQL™ 4.0: Reliability and Validity of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Version 4.0 Generic Core Scales in Healthy and Patient Populations" establishes pediatric-specific quality-of-life measurement, which Cella et al. (1993) in "The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy scale: development and validation of the general measure" extends to general cancer contexts with a 33-item scale validated in 854 patients. Shaffer (1983) in "A Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS)" complements these by offering a global severity measure reliable across raters, applicable to psychosocial outcomes in survivors.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Current research builds on validated scales like PedsQL™ and FACT to explore long-term survivorship in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, focusing on neurocognitive and psychosocial domains amid 82,074 works in the field.
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CBTRUS Statistical Report: Primary Brain and Central Nervous S... | 2013 | Neuro-Oncology | 12.1K | ✓ |
| 2 | The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale | 1962 | Psychological Reports | 10.8K | ✕ |
| 3 | Early Palliative Care for Patients with Metastatic Non–Small-C... | 2010 | New England Journal of... | 7.2K | ✕ |
| 4 | Motivational interviewing: preparing people for change. | 2002 | — | 7.1K | ✕ |
| 5 | The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy scale: development... | 1993 | Journal of Clinical On... | 5.9K | ✕ |
| 6 | Distinguishing optimism from neuroticism (and trait anxiety, s... | 1994 | Journal of Personality... | 5.7K | ✕ |
| 7 | Optimism, coping, and health: Assessment and implications of g... | 1985 | Health Psychology | 5.2K | ✕ |
| 8 | PedsQL™ 4.0: Reliability and Validity of the Pediatric Quality... | 2001 | Medical Care | 4.9K | ✕ |
| 9 | The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (... | 2010 | Journal of Clinical Ep... | 4.8K | ✓ |
| 10 | A Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) | 1983 | Archives of General Ps... | 3.6K | ✕ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory?
The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™ 4.0) is a validated tool assessing health-related quality of life in healthy and patient populations, including pediatric cancer survivors. Varni et al. (2001) confirmed its reliability and validity for use in clinical trials, research, and school health settings. The Generic Core Scales support parent-proxy reports and patient self-reports.
How is quality of life measured in cancer patients?
The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) scale is a 33-item general measure developed for cancer patients undergoing treatment. Cella et al. (1993) validated it across 854 patients in a five-phase process, showing sensitivity to quality-of-life changes. It evaluates physical, social, emotional, and functional well-being.
What role do parent-proxy reports play in assessing childhood cancer survivors?
Parent-proxy reports complement self-reports in evaluating health-related quality of life for young survivors. Research in this cluster incorporates them within tools like PedsQL™, capturing psychosocial and neurocognitive outcomes. They provide insights into long-term effects not fully reported by children.
What are key psychosocial outcomes for survivors?
Psychosocial outcomes include posttraumatic stress symptoms and emotional functioning, tracked via scales like the Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS). Shaffer (1983) showed CGAS reliability across raters and time in measuring disturbance severity. Studies link these to survivorship in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.
Which scales assess general health outcomes in pediatrics?
The PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales assess pediatric quality of life reliably in patient populations. Varni et al. (2001) demonstrated applicability in clinical practice and community settings. They cover physical, emotional, social, and school functioning.
Open Research Questions
- ? How do long-term neurocognitive outcomes vary among survivors treated with different pediatric cancer protocols?
- ? What factors mediate posttraumatic stress symptoms in adolescent and young adult survivors?
- ? How effective are parent-proxy reports versus self-reports in capturing quality-of-life changes over survivorship?
- ? Which interventions best mitigate psychosocial deficits in long-term childhood cancer survivors?
- ? What are the predictors of physical health-related quality of life in aging survivor cohorts?
Recent Trends
The field maintains 82,074 works without specified 5-year growth data, emphasizing sustained focus on Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory and Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.
Highly cited papers like Varni et al. (4881 citations) and Cella et al. (1993) (5901 citations) anchor assessments of health-related quality of life, with no recent preprints or news reported in the last 6-12 months.
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