Comparison of psychologic outcome in adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia versus sibling controls: a cooperative Children's Cancer Group and National Institutes of Health study.

Abstract

This large, sibling-controlled, multisite study of young adult survivors of childhood ALL treated on CCG protocols after 1970 found significant increased negative mood in survivors, not accounted for by reported energy level differences, which suggests that these emotional effects are not likely the result of current illness. Survivors are less likely to be fully employed. Female, minority, and unemployed survivors are at greatest risk for emotional sequelae, a finding that indicates the need for targeted, preventive intervention.