“A diagnosis of childhood cancer is a stressful event. It takes time for families to emotionally process the diagnosis before they can learn how to care for their child as therapy is initiated…”

Photo courtesy of the Children’s Hospital of Michigan.

Essential information for nurses.

In “Hematologic Childhood Cancers: An Evidence-Based Review” in this month’s AJN, author Jessica Lynne Spruit provides an overview of hematologic childhood cancers—among the most common types of cancer in kids—written for nurses who work with kids, teens, and adults. Spruit discusses symptoms, diagnosis, staging, treatment, and longer-term issues, as well as supportive care for both child and family.

The article focuses on acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), Hodgkin lymphoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A section on survivorship care, with an emphasis on the often-difficult transition from months of intensive treatment to less frequent primary care visits, reminds us to be sensitive to the life-changing nature of any cancer, but especially cancer in kids, for both child and family.

Problems among adult childhood cancer survivors.

We usually think of leukemias and lymphomas as pediatric territory. But today, more children are surviving childhood cancers, and problems related to the cancer itself, or to late treatment affects, can occur long after diagnosis. Those of us who work in settings that are not strictly pediatric are more likely than ever to be caring for these kids and adults.

What do you know about the latest cancer treatments?

Can you differentiate induction, consolidation, and maintenance therapies for the most common type of childhood leukemia? Are you familiar with the different kinds of radiation therapies now available, and their long-term risks?

Read this succinct and informative update in the December issue of AJN.