Steroid-induced alterations of behaviour during treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a sibling's description.

摘要

When 7-year-old Aidan was asked to produce a piece of work about a family member at school, he composed a poem describing his 3-year-old younger brother's behaviour while he was on high-dose dexamethasone during induction chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (figure 1).High-dose steroids are commonly used in the treatment of childhood cancer. Treatment-induced behaviour and mood changes can be challenging to manage. It is important for clinicians and key workers caring for children with cancers not to forget the psychological impact of the conditions and their treatment on the patient, parents and siblings.