Metabolic syndrome as cardiovascular risk factor in childhood cancer survivors.
Over the past decades, survival rates of childhood cancer have increased considerably from 5 to 30% in the early seventies to current rates exceeding 80%. This is due to the development of effective chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy and stem cell transplantation, combined with an optimized stratification of therapy and better supportive care regimens. As a consequence, active surveillance strategies of late sequelae have been developed to improve the quality of survival. Several epidemiological studies have reported an increased incidence of (components of) metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular disease in childhood cancer survivors (CCS). Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) after cranial radiotherapy (CRT) has been previously described as an important cause of MetS. New insights suggest a role for abdominal radiotherapy as a determinant for MetS as well. The role of other risk factors, such as specific chemotherapeutic agents, steroids, gonadal impairment, thyroid morbidity and genetics, warrants further investigation. This knowledge is important to define subgroups of CCS that are at risk to develop (subclinical) MetS features. These survivors might benefit from standard surveillance and early interventions, for example lifestyle and diet advice and medical treatment, thereby preventing the development of cardiovascular disease.
['Pluimakers|V G|VG|', 'van Waas|M|M|', 'Neggers|S J C M M|SJCMM|', 'van den Heuvel-Eibrink|M M|MM|']
D000328:Adult D017668:Age of Onset D000073116:Cancer Survivors D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases D002648:Child D006801:Humans D015994:Incidence D024821:Metabolic Syndrome D009369:Neoplasms D012307:Risk Factors
Metabolic syndrome Childhood cancer survivor Cardiovascular disease Diabetes mellitus Dyslipidemia Hypertension Insulin resistance Obesity