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Current Oncology
Special Issues
Quality of Life and Management of Pediatric Cancer
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Quality of Life and Management of Pediatric Cancer

A special issue of Current Oncology (ISSN 1718-7729). This special issue belongs to the section "Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 6363

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Luca Giacomelli

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Guest Editor
Polistudium SRL, Milan, Italy
Interests: palliative care; research methodology; consensus approaches; cancer; pediatrics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Momcilo Jankovic

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center Maria Letizia Verga, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
Interests: hematological diseases; hematooncological diseases; psychosocial issues; communication
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Worldwide, more than 4 million children suffer from oncological disease. In this setting, pediatric palliative care (PPC) must not be limited to the terminality period, but it should be rather established as early as possible and continue over the disease trajectory, regardless of treatment administration, with the aim to improve the quality of life of patients and their families (see Benini et al, Cancers 2022).

The Special Issue ‘Quality of Life and Management of Pediatric Cancer’ aims at collecting, in a single editorial effort, experiences and well-grounded opinions on the management of pediatric cancers from all over the world. In particular, studies or case reports concerning the early establishment of PPC in the oncology setting would be welcome.

Our audience is multidisciplinary and composed of oncologists, palliative care specialists, nurses and psychologists with an interest in PPC.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Cancers.

Dr. Luca Giacomelli
Dr. Momcilo Jankovic
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Current Oncology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pediatric palliative care
  • oncology
  • quality of life
  • early management

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 2031 KB  
Article
Trajectories of Posttraumatic Growth Among Latvian Parents of Children with Cancer: A Mixed Methods Approach
by Inese Lietaviete, Reinis Alksnis and Baiba Martinsone
Curr. Oncol. 2025, 32(9), 486; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32090486 - 30 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1175
Abstract
Background: This study explores post-traumatic growth (PTG) among parents of childhood cancer survivors (CCSs), a group often underrepresented in research. Method: A convergent parallel mixed-methods design integrating Bayesian Multilevel Latent Class Analysis and Thematic Analysis was utilized in a longitudinal study involving 58 [...] Read more.
Background: This study explores post-traumatic growth (PTG) among parents of childhood cancer survivors (CCSs), a group often underrepresented in research. Method: A convergent parallel mixed-methods design integrating Bayesian Multilevel Latent Class Analysis and Thematic Analysis was utilized in a longitudinal study involving 58 caregivers (50 mothers, 8 fathers) from the Children’s Clinical University Hospital in Riga. Quantitative data were collected at diagnosis using the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT) and Big Five Inventory-10 (BFI-10). Follow-up assessments post-treatment included the Responses to Stress Questionnaire (RSQ), Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Qualitative data were collected through structured interviews. Results: A 2-class model distinguished parents with low PTG from those with moderate to high PTG. Change in values, detachment from trivial stressors, and acceptance of life emerged as key indicators of growth. PTG was not significantly correlated with overall post-traumatic stress symptoms, but engagement coping strategies showed a positive association with PTG and personality traits like extraversion and openness. Conclusions: The mixed methods approach revealed sample-specific PTG elements not reflected in standardized tools. Initial perceptions of the cancer diagnosis shaped psychological outcomes, with PTG facilitated by adaptive coping, self-reflection, support, emotional disclosure, and psychological struggle. This study offers the first insights into PTG among Latvian parents of CCSs, a previously unexplored area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality of Life and Management of Pediatric Cancer)
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18 pages, 247 KB  
Article
Artificial Reproductive Technology Use and Family-Building Experiences of Female Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study
by Selena Banser, A. Fuchsia Howard, Sally Thorne and Karen J. Goddard
Curr. Oncol. 2025, 32(7), 369; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32070369 - 25 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1126
Abstract
Purpose: Cancer treatments can result in subfertility or infertility in female adult childhood cancer survivors (ACCSs). While ACCSs may utilize assisted reproductive technology (ART) or other family-building options, the limited evidence describing their experiences remains a hindrance to developing and implementing appropriate patient-centered [...] Read more.
Purpose: Cancer treatments can result in subfertility or infertility in female adult childhood cancer survivors (ACCSs). While ACCSs may utilize assisted reproductive technology (ART) or other family-building options, the limited evidence describing their experiences remains a hindrance to developing and implementing appropriate patient-centered supports. The study’s aim is to describe the challenges female ACCSs experienced while navigating ART and family-building options, to inform improvements in clinical practice in a western Canadian province. Methods: In this qualitative Interpretive Description study, interviews were conducted with 15 female ACCSs and data were analyzed using an interpretive thematic approach and constant comparative techniques. Results: ACCSs’ narratives suggest they experienced five prominent challenges while navigating ART and family-building options, including (1) confronting unexpected, impaired fertility, (2) grieving loss and redefining identity, (3) encountering unsupportive healthcare, (4) exploring alternative paths of adoption and international family-building, and (5) facing financial strain. Conclusions: This exploratory study provides initial insights into the significant and multifaceted challenges female ACCSs experience related to family building and highlights gaps in healthcare services. Further research is warranted to articulate these challenges across contexts and the development and implementation of mitigating approaches. Implications for Cancer Survivors: The integration of comprehensive informational, psychosocial, and financial supports into existing cancer survivor and family-building services is vital to meeting female ACCSs’ unmet needs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality of Life and Management of Pediatric Cancer)

Review

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25 pages, 496 KB  
Review
Neurocognitive and Emotional Outcomes in Childhood Cancer: A Developmental Perspective
by Antonios I. Christou, Georgia Kalfadeli, Stella Tsermentseli and Flora Bacopoulou
Curr. Oncol. 2025, 32(11), 611; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32110611 - 1 Nov 2025
Viewed by 881
Abstract
Background: Childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) are at heightened risk of long-term neurocognitive and emotional difficulties that can affect educational attainment, social participation, and overall quality of life. These outcomes vary across developmental stages and are influenced by treatment modality, age at diagnosis, and [...] Read more.
Background: Childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) are at heightened risk of long-term neurocognitive and emotional difficulties that can affect educational attainment, social participation, and overall quality of life. These outcomes vary across developmental stages and are influenced by treatment modality, age at diagnosis, and central nervous system (CNS) involvement. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science for articles published between January 2000 and June 2024. Search terms included combinations of “childhood cancer survivors,” “neurocognitive outcomes,” “executive function,” “emotional regulation,” and related MeSH terms. Inclusion criteria required peer-reviewed studies assessing CCS using standardized neuropsychological or emotional measures. Results: Evidence indicates persistent deficits in processing speed, working memory, and higher-order executive functions, with additional challenges in attention and memory. Emotional difficulties, including anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal, were prevalent and often co-occurred with cognitive impairments. Developmental timing of cancer and treatment was a key determinant of outcome. Family functioning, school reintegration support, and broader social environments emerged as important moderators of resilience. Conclusions: CCSs face complex, interrelated cognitive and emotional challenges that warrant early identification and ongoing, developmentally tailored intervention. Integrated approaches combining cognitive remediation and psychosocial support appear most effective. Future research should prioritize longitudinal designs, multi-informant assessments, and culturally sensitive frameworks to inform targeted prevention and rehabilitation strategies. Our synthesis highlights that deficits in processing speed and working memory are most pronounced following CNS-directed therapies during early developmental stages, whereas emotional vulnerabilities such as anxiety and social withdrawal often emerge later in adolescence. Interventions combining cognitive remediation, targeted psychosocial support, and structured school reintegration show the strongest evidence for improving adaptive outcomes. Coordinated survivorship care across healthcare, educational, and family systems is essential to sustain developmental recovery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality of Life and Management of Pediatric Cancer)
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Other

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7 pages, 198 KB  
Perspective
The Ethical Complexity of Medical Decision Making in the Adolescent Oncology Patient
by Ariel Paige Nash, Avis Harden and Rachna Kalapi Sheth
Curr. Oncol. 2024, 31(8), 4158-4164; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31080310 - 24 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2414
Abstract
Adolescent Medical Decision Making (aMDM) is frequently discussed but presents a significant challenge in practice, especially in cases of adolescents with life threatening or life limiting illnesses. In this paper, we present a case that explores the importance of aMDM, the difficulties for [...] Read more.
Adolescent Medical Decision Making (aMDM) is frequently discussed but presents a significant challenge in practice, especially in cases of adolescents with life threatening or life limiting illnesses. In this paper, we present a case that explores the importance of aMDM, the difficulties for providers when engaging adolescents in these discussions, and how certain skills may be incorporated into pediatric practice. Literature suggests that patients of this age group, while being legally without capacity, have meaningful insights into their care. However, unless physicians feel comfortable and competent engaging adolescents in a manner that honors their developmentally appropriate understanding of their illness, these insights can be lost. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality of Life and Management of Pediatric Cancer)
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