Northeast Florida Medicine
Vol. 66, No. 2 2015
29
Pediatric Oncology
Conclusion: Future Directions
As strides in oncologic treatments continue to improve cure
and survival outcomes for pediatric cancer patients, so too
must growing attention be paid to the impact these diagnoses
have on patients and families. Growing resources are being
devoted for support services throughout the journey from
diagnosis to treatment and beyond. Current data show great
heterogeneity in the degree of distress displayed by both the
patients and their families, much of it relating to the internal
family dynamic that already existed. In addition, the degree
of impact varies between mothers, fathers, and siblings, and
varies from time of diagnosis to the end of treatment.
While efforts thus far to help families through the
journey have been helpful, areas of improvement remain.
More robust guidelines are needed for helping families
maintain a helpful support network at school and in their
communities. Additional professional resources are needed
to guide families that are prone to high conflict. Guidelines
are needed for the medical community to help screen long-
term cancer survivors for signs of prolonged distress and
develop appropriate interventions. Pediatric cancer diagnoses
are inherently stressful events that can disrupt any family
dynamic. Resources must be devoted to help identify and
mitigate the disruption and improve the odds of long-term
success for both the patient and their families.
v
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