Treatment Effects in Children and Adolescents/Young Adults with Leukemia or Lymphoma
Mentor: Dr. Michael Burke
Pediatric patients diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma may face various negative outcomes as a result of their disease and treatment. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is defined as the impact of chronic illness on daily functioning and has been demonstrated to vary widely among cancer patients and survivors. It can be affected by both treatment factors, such as diagnosis type, disease severity, and side effects of treatment, as well as personal factors, such as demographic and social characteristics. At present, little is known about HRQoL in pediatric leukemia and lymphoma patients as it relates to many treatment factors and personal characteristics. Using data collected at the Comprehensive Leukemia and Lymphoma Clinic (CLL) at Children’s Wisconsin, analysis will be conducted to explore within- and between-subjects differences in HRQoL by disease factors (e.g., time since diagnosis, prognosis, use of steroid treatment) and personal characteristics (e.g. age, gender, parent education). Results will be disseminated in the form of a poster at a national conference for pediatric psycho-oncology professionals and a manuscript will be prepared for submission to a peer-reviewed journal of pediatric oncology or pediatric psychology. By informing practitioners and researchers in the field of pediatric oncology and psychology about HRQoL outcomes in children with leukemia and lymphoma, progress can be made toward a more comprehensive understanding of the psychological consequences of pediatric cancer and its treatment. As this understanding increases, novel psychosocial assessments and interventions can be developed, ultimately improving the quality of life of pediatric cancer patients and survivors.
