Follow up of long-term survivors after childhood cancer in Germany

Background: In recent years, the long-term survival of childhood cancer patients has increased considerably. While this is desirable, more patients with late effects are to be expected and studies thereof become increasingly important. We will need to be able to stay in touch with as many former patients as possible in order to make a systematic and comprehensive long-term follow-up possible. Patients: Childhood cancer patients under 15 years of age at diagnosis resident in Germany and registered at the German Childhood Cancer Registry (GCCR). Methods: The GCCR has established a 3-phase procedure for follow-up. We developed principles for the long-term follow up of these patients. They are based on the many years of experience at the GCCR and were developed based on the long-standing collaboration between the therapy optimization studies (TOS) in the Society for Paediatric Oncology and Haematology (GPOH) and the GCCR. Results: Currently 8 012 adult survivors diagnosed before 2000 are under observation at the GCCR and could be contacted for studies. About half of the children diagnosed in the 1980ies still in follow-up have been under observation more than 14 years. When asked to personally extend the originally parental consent to data storage at the GCCR and the TOS at about 16 years of age, about 85% of the patients agree. Conclusions: Establishing an open-end, systematic long-term follow-up will provide a unique and broad basis for paediatric oncology in Germany to perform representative studies regarding long-term survival after childhood cancer in Germany in the long run.