The health of children born after cancer treatments
Madanat-Harjuoja, L.-M.; Sankila, R.
Duodecim; Laaketieteellinen Aikakauskirja 128(8): 882-888
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-7183 PMID: 22616380 Document Number: 659416
With the development of cancer treatments an increasing number of patients having contracted cancer at a young age will survive. Those who have recovered from cancer will, however, have children almost twice more infrequently than their siblings. Women who have received radiotherapy especially in the abdominal and pelvic region possess an increased risk of premature delivery. Progeny of the patients have been shown not to possess an increased risk of intrauterine death, death during the neonatal period or embryonic deaths. According to current knowledge, cancer treatments do not have transgenerational effects and do not increase the risk of cancer among the progeny.