Pelvic Radiation Disease in Childhood Cancer Survivors

This study aims to characterise the impact of radiotherapy on physical symptoms and quality of life in childhood and young adult cancer survivors. This is in line with current NHS strategic priorities and an unmet clinical need to optimise aftercare in this patient group. In order to provide effective treatment strategies, the scale and impact of symptom burden requires better characterisation. A significant proportion of adult patients suffer with gastrointestinal and urinary symptoms and sexual dysfunction following radiotherapy treatment. However there is a lack of data in the paediatric and young adult population. We will study patients who underwent abdomino-pelvic radiotherapy, who completed treatment between 2000 and 2021 and were under the age of 24 years at the time of treatment. Patients will be recruited from The Royal Marsden Hospital, Great Ormond St Hospital and University College Hospital. Once these patients are identified we propose to prospectively assess severity of their ongoing symptoms using an electronic questionnaire, including relevant extracts from existing validated questionnaires. Treatment and patient related factors will be extracted from patient hospital records. A further qualitative arm of the study will be completed on a sub-set of 10 patients. We will identify appropriate patients that are willing to participate in qualitative research at the time of consenting. One-to-one interviews will be conducted to gain a better insight into their symptom burden, quality of life, patient perceptions of current services and view of currently unmet needs. This study will provide novel data on the frequency and severity of gastrointestinal and bladder related radiotherapy toxicity in young adult cancer survivors and assess impact on sexual function and quality of life. We would then propose to use this data to focus on service improvements within the regional paediatric and TYA cancer aftercare service driven by patient experience and clinical need.

Sex

All

Maximum age

46 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients who;

  1. Were treated at The Royal Marsden Hospital, Great Ormond St Hospital or University College Hospital.
  2. Received radical radiotherapy to the abdomen and / or pelvis
  3. Were treated at age 24 years or below
  4. Completed treatment between 2000 - 2021.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who;

  1. Received total body irradiation (TBI) or spinal radiation
  2. Have died, moved abroad or cannot be contacted.