• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.465-470
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• 2010

The number of long-term survivors is increasing in the western countries due to remarkable improvements in the treatment of childhood cancer. The long-term complications of childhood cancer survivors in these countries were brought to light by the childhood cancer survivor studies. In Korea, the 5-year survival rate of childhood cancer patients is approaching 70%; therefore, it is extremely important to undertake similar long-term follow-up studies and comprehensive long-term care for our population. On the basis of the experiences of childhood cancer survivorship care of the western countries and the current Korean status of childhood cancer survivors, long-term follow-up study and long-term care systems need to be established in Korea in the near future. This system might contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of childhood cancer survivors through effective intervention strategies.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.477-480
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• 2010

Advances in research and medical and supportive care have contributed to a growing population of adults formerly treated for childhood cancer. History of cancer and its therapy can have significant life-long health implications. Late effects of cancer therapy can be insidious on onset, occur outside the pediatric age, and contribute to premature morbidity and mortality. In this review, I have focused on the key long-term effects of pediatric cancer therapy, particularly on the metabolic syndrome, including cardiopulmonary complications, infertility, and secondary neoplasm.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.421-433
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• 2023

This study was to examine the developmental dental abnormalities in childhood cancer survivors. Risk factors were assessed for 125 children with radiographic data through a retrospective analysis of medical records and panoramic images. 68.0% of childhood cancer survivors exhibited at least one dental abnormality. The types of abnormalities varied depending on the age at cancer diagnosis and treatment intensity, ranging from microdontia (43.2%), to abnormal root development (39.2%) and tooth agenesis (33.6%). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that a young age at diagnosis (under 3 years), the use of heavy metal agents, a history of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and combination treatment of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and HSCT were associated with a significantly higher risk for overall dental abnormalities. The increased risk ratios were 6.00, 3.06, 3.22, and 7.87, respectively (p < 0.05). The results of this study will predict dental abnormality in permanent dentition according to the diagnosis age and treatment method of childhood cancer.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.88-98
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• 2024

Patients with pediatric cancer often undergo multiple therapies, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplantation. These treatments, while essential, can result in dental developmental issues, including hypodontia, microdontia, short roots, and delayed dental development. This report presents two cases of pediatric patients diagnosed with neuroblastoma who exhibited severe tooth mobility due to short roots as a complication of cancer treatment. Moreover, we investigated the conservative management of the patients' conditions using resin wire splints and orthodontic miniscrews for skeletal anchorage along with long-term follow-ups to evaluate their prognosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.471-476
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• 2010

The majority of childhood cancer survivors and their families will be psychologically healthy, but may desire and benefit from preventive care. A significant portion of the survivor population will be psychosocially distressed in various aspects by their harsh experience of long cancer treatment, and may warrant professional intervention and treatment. Pediatricians should be aware of the late psychological effects that can occur a year or 2 after treatment, possibly in many aspects of a survivor's life. Not only the cancer diagnosis, but also treatments such as chemotherapy, irradiation, and surgical intervention may exert different long-term effects on the psychosocial outcomes of survivors. Pediatricians need to be more concerned with maintaining and improving the psychological health of this growing number of childhood cancer survivors through long-term follow-up clinics, community support, or self-help groups. Research on all of the psychosocial aspects of childhood cancer survivors is important to recognize the reality and problems they face in Korea.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.290-302
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the attributes of social adjustment among adolescent cancer survivors using concept analysis and to propose a definition of the concept. Methods: In accordance with the hybrid model of concept analysis, this study employed a three-phase circular process comprising theoretical, fieldwork, and final analysis phases. A thorough literature review was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, and Korean databases, followed by qualitative fieldwork with seven participants. The results derived from the theoretical and fieldwork phases were integrated into the final analysis phase. Results: Four attributes of social adjustment were found in adolescent cancer survivors: having harmonious relationships with friends, having harmonious relationships with boy/girlfriends, fulfilling their present roles, and planning for and expecting future roles. The following definition of social adjustment of adolescent cancer survivors is proposed: "the conquering of difficulties arising from the continuum of childhood cancer and the achievement of the developmental tasks of typical adolescents." Conclusion: Social adjustment of childhood cancer survivors is crucial for integrating them into society. The findings of this study provide a basis for developing an instrument to measure the social adjustment of adolescent cancer survivors and for developing of interventions that target this group.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.60-67
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• 2013

As chemotherapy and other sophisticated treatment strategies evolve and the number of survivors of long-term childhood cancer grows, the long-term complications of treatment and the cancer itself are becoming ever more important. One of the most important but often neglected complications is osteoporosis and increased risk of fracture during and after cancer treatment. Acquisition of optimal peak bone mass and strength during childhood and adolescence is critical to preventing osteoporosis later in life. However, most childhood cancer patients have multiple risk factors for bone mineral loss. Cancer itself, malnutrition, decreased physical activity during treatment, chemotherapeutic agents such as steroids, and radiotherapy cause bone mineral deficit. Furthermore, complications such as growth hormone deficiency and musculoskeletal deformity have negative effects on bone metabolism. Low bone mineral density is associated with fractures, skeletal deformity, pain, and substantial financial burden not only for childhood cancer survivors but also for public health care systems. Thus, it is important to monitor bone health in these patients and minimize their risk of developing osteoporosis and fragility fractures later in life.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.238-245
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• 2013

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to assess social adjustment of childhood cancer survivors and to identify factors affecting social adjustment. Methods: Data were collected from 79 childhood cancer survivors and his/her parents. The survey consisted of questions related to characteristics, physical functioning, depression, self-esteem and coping strategies. The Social Competence Inventory was used to measure social adjustment in the children. Results: The level of social adjustment of childhood cancer survivors was 83.5 out of a possible 155. Physical functioning, depression, self-esteem, and aggressive or proactive coping strategies were associated with social adjustment. Only physical functioning independently affected social adjustment. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that there are several factors influencing social adjustment of childhood cancer survivors, and therefore there is a need for programs that deal with all aspects of children's physical as well as emotional health in order to enhance their social adjustment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.253-259
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• 2011

Purpose: Long-term survivors of childhood cancer appear to have an increased risk for the metabolic syndrome, subsequent type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in adulthood compared to healthy children. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of the metabolic syndrome and associated factors in childhood cancer survivors at a single center in Korea. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of medical records of 98 childhood cancer survivors who were diagnosed and completed anticancer treatment at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea between Jan. 1996 and Dec. 2007. Parameters of metabolic syndrome were evaluated between Jan. 2008 and Dec. 2009. Clinical and biochemical findings including body fat percentage were analyzed. Results: A total of 19 (19.4%) patients had the metabolic syndrome. The median body fat percentage was 31.5%. The body mass index and waist circumference were positively correlated with the cranial irradiation dose (r=0.38, P<0.001 and r=0.44, P<0.00, respectively). Sixty-one (62.2%) patients had at least one abnormal lipid value. The triglyceride showed significant positive correlation with the body fat percentage (r=0.26, P=0.03). The high density lipoprotein cholesterol showed significant negative correlation with the percent body fat (r=- 0.26, P=0.03). Conclusion: Childhood cancer survivors should have thorough metabolic evaluation including measurement of body fat percentage even if they are not obese. A better understanding of the determinants of the metabolic syndrome during adolescence might provide preventive interventions for improving health outcomes in adulthood.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.304-313
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was done to describe psychosocial adjustment of adolescents who have survived childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Method: Out of a total of 16 adolescents ($11{\sim}20$ years old) registered at the Pediatric Oncology Clinic at one university affiliated hospital, 13 adolescents agreed to participate in this study. The data were collected through in-depth interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. The contents of the interviews were analyzed using the inductive content analysis method. Result: Three main categories were identified 'personal characteristics', 'coping patterns', and 'interpersonal relationship'. Personal characteristics included self-praise, self-confidence, altruism, being worrisome, and being difficult. Coping patterns included positive thinking, activeness, and avoidance. Interpersonal relationship included appreciation, intimacy, burdened by over protectiveness, and feelings of regret and equality as peers. Conclusion: The results indicate that adolescents who have survived childhood cancer have both positive and negative experiences. It is suggested that care providers identify and support the strengths of the adolescents in order to help them to adjust more positively after the experience of childhood cancer.