by charmnicole | Jan 18, 2022 | Uncategorized
Because treatment with growth hormone (GH), often necessitated by GH deficiency from childhood cancer, has been linked to tumorigenesis, concerns remain around its use among childhood cancer survivors.
New review findings show it is safe to administer growth hormone (GH) treatment to pediatric cancer survivors, despite concerns over a potential link between malignancy development—both tumor recurrence and secondary neoplasm (SN)—and the therapy, investigators have determined. Still, they add, the extent of individual risk per patient should continue to be investigated, as should the risk of SN during/after GH therapy among persons with a history of cancer predisposition syndromes.
The findings on childhood cancer survivors (CCS) were published in Frontiers in Endocrinology.
“The long-term effects of GH treatment have been extensively studied, given the mitogenic properties of GH and its downstream target insulin-like growth factor,” the authors wrote. “This is of particular concern in CCS, as they are at higher risk a priori of tumor recurrence and secondary tumors.”
Their primary goal was to get a more clear picture of which CCS are at greatest risk for GH deficiency (GHD) and to profile the safety of the therapy among this patient group.
Using data from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, the authors showed that 22.5% of CCS go on to develop 2 or more serious conditions by age 50 years, with an additional 9.6% developing 1 SN and 2.6% developing 2 SNs. Risk factors include radiation exposure, family cancer history, and primary diagnosis of sarcoma or Hodgkin lymphoma. Previous study results have been mixed on the exact risks presented by GH therapy, due to “lack of standardization of laboratory assays and diagnostic thresholds for GHD,” the authors write. Still, they add, data do indicate that GH treatment is likely safe.
Additional study results on brain tumor recurrence in children, from investigations comparing outcomes between patients who were and were not treated with GH, show no significant difference in recurrent tumors, and data on central nervous system tumors do not bear out a link between GH treatment with tumor recurrence. Also, among patients with a previous cancer history, disease recurrence risk did not significantly differ between persons treated with GH and those who were not.
Several other studies in their analysis looked into possible connections between patients with a history of cranial irradiation—in particular because radiation therapy is a known independent risk factor for GHD, especially at higher doses—and potential to develop SNs. However, their findings here show no significant association between risk of SN and mean GH dose, treatment duration, and cumulative dose. In addition, patients with previous brain radiation treatment have greater risk of meningiomas, and that can be a confounding factor when a potential link is seen between GH treatment and SN development.
Source: Growth Hormone Therapy Risk, Safety in Pediatric Cancer Survivors Profiled
by charmnicole | Jan 14, 2022 | Uncategorized
CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) – A nonprofit organization based out of Bloomsburg, Pa. has helped families dealing with a child with pediatric cancer stay on top of bills and other payments since 2014. Despite the continued challenge of fundraising during the ongoing pandemic, the ThinkBIG® Pediatric Cancer Fund officially incorporated Clearfield County into its list of counties eligible for assistance.
ThinkBIG’s primary mission is to alleviate the stress of everyday financial expenses so families who are battling pediatric cancer can concentrate on treatment and healing. This is done by helping families with monthly bills, including, but not limited to, mortgage, car payments, and utility bills. ThinkBIG also helps families with funeral expenses for those who unfortunately lose their battle to pediatric cancer. Since 2014, ThinkBIG has been able to allocate over $900,000 in financial assistance to families located in the northeast and central Pennsylvania.
Source: Pediatric Cancer Fund expands its reach into Clearfield County
by charmnicole | Jan 13, 2022 | Uncategorized
IDAHO — It’s news no family wants to hear, pediatric cancer. But, one local group, Survivors Supporting Survivors, is helping teens heal from such a devastating diagnosis.
“We came out here ice skating and did a gift exchange, white elephant, and just hanging out and talking with each other,” Skylar Holloway, Survivors Supporting Survivors member said.
teens heal from childhood cancer
It’s a teen support group for any teen that has previously experienced a pediatric cancer diagnosis. A group that no child dreams to be a part of, but one that is helping children and teens come together for support.
By: Lynsey AmundsonPosted at 2:53 PM, Dec 18, 2021 and last updated 8:46 AM, Dec 20, 2021
IDAHO — It’s news no family wants to hear, pediatric cancer. But, one local group, Survivors Supporting Survivors, is helping teens heal from such a devastating diagnosis.
“We came out here ice skating and did a gift exchange, white elephant, and just hanging out and talking with each other,” Skylar Holloway, Survivors Supporting Survivors member said.
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It’s a teen support group for any teen that has previously experienced a pediatric cancer diagnosis. A group that no child dreams to be a part of, but one that is helping children and teens come together for support.
“It has been amazing, I have made some really great friends, and lifelong friends here,” Holloway said. “It has just made me feel not alone in my journey that I went through and I can share with them that experience.”
Survivors Supporting Survivors meets once a month for different activities to help them through their healing journey, and to connect them with others who have been through similar things.
Source: Survivors Supporting Survivors helping teens heal from childhood cancer
by charmnicole | Jan 10, 2022 | Uncategorized
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — It was the day before Halloween 2019 that Coast Guard Petty Officer Scott Ferguson got the scary diagnosis that his 8-year-old son Xavier had Leukemia.
More than two years later, the now 10-year-old received his final round of chemotherapy Friday at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. It’s a moment traditionally celebrated at the hospital by the patient ringing a bell.
“It felt really good,” Xavier said about his bell ringing.
Source: Helicopter landing celebrates Coast Guardsman’s son following final cancer treatment
by charmnicole | Jan 10, 2022 | Uncategorized
NEEDHAM, Mass. —
The Miracle Workers: Boy vs. Beast, by author and TV correspondent Rene Marsh, is about a boy named Blake and his adventures in a magical land. Blake has a monster of a problem and only a miracle can save him. Marsh wrote the book in memory of her late son, Blake, and was inspired by his battle with pediatric brain cancer.
Source: ‘The Miracle Workers: Boy vs. Beast’ is a story of hope, with all proceeds going to pediatric brain cancer research
by charmnicole | Jan 10, 2022 | Uncategorized
Berks Benefitting THON, a Penn State Berks student organization, will host a benefit dinner and a night of fun — all for a good cause. The fifth annual “Inspire the Night” benefit dinner will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 14, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading.
The event is open to students, faculty, staff and community members. Customers Bank is the title partner for this year’s event.
Source: Inspire the Night benefit dinner to raise funds for THON
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