The kind of side effects your child has will depend on the type of cancer they have and the treatment they receive. Treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy damage normal cells as well as cancerous ones.
In many cases side effects are temporary, but for some children, there can be long-term physical effects or 'late effects'.
The Late Effects Assessment Programme (LEAP) provides regular assessment and monitoring for all survivors of childhood cancer throughout New Zealand. Depending on where you live, your child may visit a dedicated LEAP clinic or see a specialist at your local hospital. Both types of clinics provide the same key follow-up care.
Your child may be asked about their thinking and learning (cognitive) ability, and if there are any concerns, a further assessment may happen. This is called a neuropsychological assessment. Talk to your child's healthcare team if you are concerned.
Find out more about the Late Effects Assessment Programme. [1]
Cranial irradiation is a type of radiation therapy for brain tumours and some high-risk forms of leukaemia. It carries an increased risk of learning problems for children. Some children have issues with areas such as:
Common difficulties include problems with:
If your child has had cranial irradiation treatment, they may benefit from a neuropsychological evaluation. Your child may need another evaluation to check whether their learning problems have changed over time. Good assessment and appropriate intervention will help minimise the impact on your child's ability to learn.
There may be long-term physical effects of childhood cancer and its treatment. Some of these may be found well after treatment has finished. They may include:
Talk with your family doctor or your child's healthcare team if you are concerned.
Find out more about treatments for childhood cancer. [2]
Survivors of childhood cancer may have a slightly increased risk of developing another cancer later in life. Learning to live with the worry of cancer returning (or developing another cancer) is a challenge for these children and their families.
Survivors and siblings often need emotional support after treatment. Discuss any changes in behaviour with your child’s healthcare team during your clinic visits. Early assessment and intervention can help minimise any problems.
Organisations such as Kenzie's Gift, Child Cancer Foundation and CanTeen can also help with counselling support.
See more information for educators [3]
Find out more about long-term follow-up in childhood cancer [4]
The pages in the childhood cancer and education section [6] of this website have been developed in collaboration with the National Child Cancer Network (NZ), and the Ministry of Education. Content has been approved by the National Child Cancer Network (NZ).
This page last reviewed 21 April 2022.
Email us [21] your feedback
Links
[1] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/introduction-long-term-follow-after-childhood-cancer
[2] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/tags/childhood-cancer-treatments
[3] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/tags/educators
[4] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/tags/long-term-follow-childhood-cancer
[5] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/tags/whanau
[6] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/tags/childhood-cancer-and-education
[7] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/2352?language=zh-hant
[8] https://www.childcancer.org.nz/
[9] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/2351?language=zh-hant
[10] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/2349?language=zh-hant
[11] https://www.canteen.org.nz/
[12] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/2357?language=zh-hant
[13] https://ayacancernetwork.org.nz/
[14] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/2350?language=zh-hant
[15] https://www.leukaemia.org.nz/
[16] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/2362?language=zh-hant
[17] https://www.campquality.org.nz
[18] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/2345?language=zh-hant
[19] https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/resources-and-publications/information-for-teachers-and-schools
[20] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/2353?language=zh-hant
[21] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F2306%3Flanguage%3Dzh-hant