Systematic Review of Educational Supports of Pediatric Cancer Survivors: Current Approaches and Future Directions

CONTEXT Key Objective: Survivors of childhood cancer are at risk for educational problems and lower educational attainment. This systematic review examined data from 80 studies across 18 countries to characterize the frequency of educational support use and the impact of educational interventions on school outcomes and quality of life among children with cancer, from diagnosis into long-term survivorship. Knowledge Generated: Frequency of educational support use varied between diagnosis groups, with higher use observed among survivors of brain tumors. Although substantial proportions of survivors of childhood cancer receive educational supports during or after their cancer treatment, there was a paucity of intervention research to evaluate the effectiveness of these supports. Relevance: Early and ongoing communication between oncology providers, families, and schools is critical for ensuring survivors' access to needed educational supports. Additional research is needed to develop and evaluate interventions to help survivors overcome educational problems associated with childhood cancer and its treatment.