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← Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Cancer (PDQ®)

FOR PATIENTS · SOURCE READING

Chemotherapy and other drug therapy

Source: Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Cancer (PDQ®)–Patient Version, National Cancer Institute.

Source updated: February 12, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.

Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.

Context: Musculoskeletal System / Radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and other treatments increase the risk of bone and joint late effects.

Risk may be increased in childhood cancer survivors who received cancer treatment that included methotrexate or corticosteroids or glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone. Drug therapy may cause:

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weak or thin bones that can break easily (osteoporosis)

one or more parts of a bone to die from a lack of blood flow (osteonecrosis), especially in the hip or knee

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Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice