10/03/2026
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What Causes Late Effects?
The cancer itself is not what usually causes the late effects — rather, it's the treatment. Chemotherapy and radiation both work by killing fast-growing cells. Cancer cells are among those, but unfortunately so are lots of other healthy cells.
More research needs to be done to fully understand how late effects happen so severely and consistently with children. Researchers think it is likely that damage to the cells at critical points in a child's development leads to late effects.
Ten Late Effects of Childhood Cancer treatment
1. Heart problems.
Kids who had chest radiation and/or chemo with a class of drugs called anthracycline ( one of which is the infamous Doxorubicin) are at higher risk for heart problems up to 20 years or longer after treatment. The severity of the problem depends on how much chemo and/or chest radiation they got and the child's age during treatment.
2. Thyroid problems.
The thyroid is a gland of the endocrine system that controls metabolism (chemical reactions in the body's cells). It may be damaged by radiation to the head or neck. The result is typically hypothyroidism (when the thyroid doesn't make enough thyroid hormone), leading to tiredness, weight gain, thinning hair, and dry skin.
3. Hearing loss.
Chemotherapy, radiation to the brain, and even some antibiotics can lead to high-frequency hearing loss (when a person cannot hear high-pitched sounds), tinnitus (ringing in the ears), or dizziness.
4. Learning problems.
Some chemotherapy drugs and/or radiation to the brain may interfere with learning. The problems can range from mild to severe, and may show up during treatment, soon after treatment, or several years later. Common learning problems include problems with memory, processing speed, and multi-tasking.
5. Lung, liver, or kidney problems. Childhood cancer treatments have been linked to several types of body organ damage later in life. How serious the organ damage is depends on the type of cancer and treatment.
6. Dental problems.
Short dental roots, delayed teeth, or missing teeth are more common in very young children who've had radiation to the brain and/or chemotherapy with a drug called vincristine. All kids who have had chemo are at risk for tooth decay and gum disease.
7. Vision problems.
Blurred or double vision, glaucoma, or cataracts are more likely in kids who were treated for tumours near the eye or received radiation to the brain.
8. Abnormal bone growth.
Sometimes kids do not grow in the usual timeframe and/or stop growing much earlier than normal. This may be due to radiation treatment, chemotherapy, or a brain tumour or its treatment. Kids may also be at risk for developing osteoporosis (bone thinning) or scoliosis (a curved spine).
9. Increased risk of future cancers.
Childhood cancer survivors have a higher risk of developing a second cancer at some point — even if the original cancer doesn't come back
10. Fertility issues and delayed sexual development
Both chemotherapy and radiation can cause fertility problems and sexual development issues.
Studies of the causes of late effects have led to changes in treatment. This has improved the quality of life for cancer survivors and helps prevent illness and death from late effects.
WE NEED MORE RESEARCH AND KINDER TREATMENTS
https://www.cancer.gov/types/childhood-cancers/late-effects-pdq
