A nationwide questionnaire survey targeting Japanese pediatricendocrinologists regarding transitional care in childhood adolescent and young adultcancer survivors

摘要

Existing guidelines recommend long-term follow-up of childhood cancer survivors (CCS).However, in Japan, transitional care for CCS has not been established. To ascertain thecurrent status in Japan, and to cultivate a better understanding, a questionnaire surveywas conducted on transitional care in CCS, and adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancersurvivors. Questionnaires were distributed to 183 councilors (137 institutions) of theJapanese Society for Pediatric Endocrinology. A total of 131 responses, representative of174 councilors, were obtained. The response rate was 95%. Among the respondents, 91% hadexperience in medical care for cancer patients, while 63% had experience in transitionalcare; however, the number of patients referred to adult clinics was small. Further, 89%acknowledged the availability of adult endocrinologists who were willing to accept thesepatients; although their numbers were insufficient. Pediatric endocrinologists highlighteddifficulties in medical examinations concerning infertility, obesity, pregnancy/delivery,and gonadal dysfunction, in that order. Staff and time shortages were listed as some ofthe challenges faced by medical staff, while multisystem morbidity was listed forpatients. This nationwide questionnaire survey revealed that Japanese pediatricendocrinologists require cooperation between related departments and collaborativeinfrastructure to develop transitional care for cancer survivors.