Late effects are side effects of treatment that occur five or more years after treatment. Not all children treated for cancer will experience late effects, but it helps to learn about the possible late effects your child may experience, how the health care team will help manage, treat, and/or prevent late effects, and questions to ask the health care team.

Childhood cancer survivors are at risk for developing late effects, which are side effects that occur more than five years after treatment. These can result from both the cancer itself and the cancer treatment. Because more than 80% of children treated for cancer survive five years or more after treatment and are presumably cured, preventing and recognizing both physical and emotional late effects is an important part of cancer care.

Many women with cancer have surgery that affects their reproductive organs. Because of the connection of this area of the body to sexuality, many women experience feelings such as loss, sadness, or anxiety after gynecologic surgery. Some women may feel that they have lost their identity as women. Others may have concerns and questions regarding sexual intimacy and intercourse after surgery. It is important to remember that there are a number of strategies for coping with both the sexual and emotional side effects of gynecologic surgery.

People living with cancer often are at a higher risk of infections, such as influenza, or the "flu." This risk is due to cancer and cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which weaken the immune system. The flu is a common, contagious illness that is caused by influenza viruses and affects the respiratory system (the organs involved in breathing).

Many women who plan or undergo a unilateral mastectomy (removal of a breast) have the option of reconstructive surgery to reshape the breast, or a breast prosthesis (an artificial breast). This article examines the option of using a breast prosthesis after surgery. 

Lymphedema is an abnormal buildup of fluid (lymph) that causes swelling, usually in the arms and legs. Lymph is the fluid that carries immune cells (mostly lymphocytes) and proteins found in the blood throughout the body. It is similar to a "highway" for your immune system. Lymph nodes are tiny, bean-shaped organs that fight infection. They can be compared to "rest stops" for your immune cells. Sometimes they are also referred to as filters. Any treatment—such as radiation therapy or surgery—that stops or slows the drainage of the lymph nodes under the arm increases the risk of lymphedema. This article discusses lymphedema caused by surgery and/or radiation therapy for breast cancer.

We’ve all heard of post-traumatic stress, which is generally used to describe feelings of anxiety and fear following a frightening or life-threatening experience, such as receiving a cancer diagnosis and undergoing treatment. However, such experiences can also cause a positive life change or a period of improvement. In fact, some studies suggest that reports of growth following a traumatic event are more common than reports of psychiatric disorders taking place from the experience.

ASCO member Evan J. Lipson, MD, launched a website that offers people with cancer and their families an opportunity to record and preserve audio interviews as a way to share their personal stories with others. Here, Cancer.Net talks with Dr. Lipson to learn more about why he created this website, SeizetheDays.org.