[Register for the evaluation of side effects after radiation in childhood and adolescence--first results].

BACKGROUND

Late effects after radiotherapy in childhood and adolescence have mainly been characterized retrospectively with small patient numbers. Therefore the German Group of Pediatric Radiation Oncology (APRO) established the "RegIster for the evaluation of late Side effects after radiation in childhood and adolescence" (RiSK). After a pilot phase starting in 2001 documentation has been performed all over Germany since 2004. This analysis shows the first results of "RiSK".

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Radiation parameters including detailed organ doses as well as toxicity evaluations were collected prospectively from centers all over Germany in the study center. Standardized documentation forms were used. Documentation is planned for all children who receive radiotherapy in one of the German pediatric therapy trials.

RESULTS

Until December 31st 2006, 696 documentations of radiotherapy and 526 acute as well as 836 late follow-up documentation forms have been collected. Altogether, 41 patients with late grade 3 and 16 patients with late grade 4-side effects were identified. Side effects mainly concerned joints with functional impairment (after combined radiotherapy and surgery), the bowel, skin and subcutis as well as blood parameters under continued chemotherapy. Patients with late side effects of a higher grade were mainly treated for Ewing's or soft tissue sarcomas (n=235 patients), representing 33.8% of all patients in this study.

CONCLUSION

Fortunately, up to now only a few late grade 3 or 4 side effects of radiotherapy are shown for almost 700 documented patients. For further results, especially for the characterization of dose-effect-relationships, this study has to be continued with a higher patient number and a longer follow-up.