Psychological Outcomes, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Neurocognitive Functioning in Survivors of Childhood Cancer and Their Parents

Childhood cancer disrupts the lives of patients and their families and impacts acute and long-term psychological health. In this review, we broadly summarize information on 1) psychological challenges including depression, anxiety, worries, and post-traumatic stress as well as positive outcomes such as benefit finding and post-traumatic growth in young survivors and parents, 2) health-related quality of life, 3) interventions to support survivors and parents with psychological difficulties, and 4) neurocognitive problems and interventions to help alleviate them. We conclude that while many survivors and parents fare well in the long-term, there is a sizeable subgroup of survivors with problems who may benefit from interventions. Interventions should be further evaluated and integrated into routine clinical care.