| Chapter 2: | Background |
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BMT can also be utilized in the treatment of some solid tumors. Specifically, BMT may be utilized in order to administer more intensive doses of chemotherapy than would typically be tolerated (Brown, 2006). Transplantation of the bone marrow can either be autologous (i.e., from the patient’s own body) or allogeneic (i.e., from another individual) (Brown, 2006). Unfortunately, BMT can leave children very susceptible to infections, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). GVHD is a reaction or rejection to the donor’s marrow and can produce symptoms such as rash, diarrhea, liver disease, poor immune function, and even death in some instances (Brown, 2006).
Survival Rates Among Childhood Cancer Patients
For all childhood cancers combined, 5-year survival rates have improved markedly over the past 30 years, from less than 50% before the 1970s to nearly 80% today (American Cancer Society, 2007). Rates do vary considerably depending on cancer type, though, such that for the most recent time period (1996–2002), 5-year survival for neuroblastoma was 69%, 72% for bone and joint cancers, 74% for brain and other CNS cancers, 81% for leukemia, 86% for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, 92% for Wilms’ tumor, and 95% for Hodgkin’s lymphoma (American Cancer Society, 2007). The 5-year survival rate refers to the percentage of patients who live at least 5 years after the diagnosis of their cancer and is used to produce a standard way of discussing prognosis. It is important to note that 5-year survival rates are based on patients diagnosed and initially treated more than 5 years ago; thus, improvements in treatment are likely to result in a more favorable outlook for recently diagnosed patients (American Cancer Society, 2007).
Summary
Although comparatively rare as a childhood condition, cancer remains responsible for more deaths of children (from infancy through adolescence) than any other illness (American Cancer Society, 2007).