[Physical effects of treatment for childhood malignant solid tumors--a data to develop an assessment method of quality of life].

Abstract

To understand the effects of treatment of childhood malignant solid tumors on the children, thirty-two survivors were examined by a questionnaire method. The play-performance scale for children (PPSC) was used to evaluate performance status in patients under 15 years of age. Ratings over 80 were obtained in 25 of 26 children (96.2%) and mean score was 94.2 +/- 8.4. Although the results of PPSC were satisfactory, several problems concerning patient's conditions including dental caries, short stature, radiation induced deformity and surgical scar, and physical disability in school life became clear. Other problems concerning parental conditions also became clear, that is, 25 parents (78.1%) had some anxiety about patient's future and only 13 parents (40.6%) told about the disease to their child. These problems should be evaluated objectively and discussed in the future.