Psychosocial and Quality-of-Life Impacts of Cancer Treatment in Children and Adolescents

• Autor(a) principal: Pereira, Clara Ignácio Pessoa
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Outros Autores: Nascimento, Isadora Bolela, Cruz, Aristides Schier da, Volc, Sahlua Miguel, Tormen, Tiago Hessel
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por; eng; spa
• Título da fonte: Revista Brasileira de Cancerologia (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://rbc.inca.gov.br/index.php/revista/article/view/3888
• topic: neoplasias/terapia; saúde da criança; impacto psicossocial; qualidade de vida; neoplasms/therapy; child health; psychosocial impact; quality of life; neoplasias/terapia; salud infantil; impacto psicosocial; calidad de vida

Introduction: As important as the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric cancer are the care related to psychosocial, educational, and emotional impact. Objective: To evaluate in children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer the psychosocial and quality-of-life impacts and the presence of a companion during the procedures. Method: Cross-sectional descriptive study of patients aged 8 to 18 years of age diagnosed with malignant neoplasms. Patients responded the questionnaires PedsQL 4.0 Quality of Life (8 to 12 years), PedsQL 3.0 Cancer Module (8 to 12 years), PedsQL 4.0 Quality of Life (13 to 18 years), PedsQL 3.0 Cancer Module (13 to 18 years) and another about companions created by the authors. Results: There were 25 pediatric oncology patients were included who felt happier in the presence of a companion, and less anxious during the procedures. A great impact on quality of life was perceived. In the Quality-of-Life questionnaire, no significant difference (p=0.627) between the groups of patients aged 8 to 12 years and 13 to 18 years were found, but the group aged 8 to 12 years had a significantly higher impact on the Cancer Module questionnaire (p=0.0094). Conclusion: The impact on quality of life and psychosocial is fairly large in pediatric oncology patients. The youngest appear to suffer great psychosocial impact. Patients claim they are happier in the presence of a companion, and more anxious in its absence.