The end of cancer treatment experience for children, adolescents, and their parents: A systematic review of the literature
Abstract
PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION: To date, there is limited study of the end of treatment (EOT) transition experiences and needs of children/adolescents with cancer and their parents. LITERATURE SEARCH: A systematic search identified primary research focusing on EOT, describing child, adolescent, and parental perceptions, experiences, and needs during this transition period. Of 170 articles identified, 22 met inclusion criteria. DATA EVALUATION/SYNTHESIS: Studies were appraised for level and quality of evidence. Narrative synthesis was performed to extract themes and integrate the literature. Family members' perceived needs, factors influencing the EOT experience, and consequences of this transition emerged as themes. CONCLUSIONS: Uncertainty and heightened anxiety at EOT highlight the need for increased education and support for family members. Family functioning and distress influence the EOT experience, with variable effects on each family member. There is a call for individualized interventions to promote coping and positive outcomes.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Parents/caregivers of childhood cancer survivors can experience poor quality of life, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and fear of their child's cancer recurring.
“Despite the benefits of cancer treatment, this can be a vulnerable time for parents/caregivers, who can experience poor quality of life (QOL),_ENREF_9 anxiety, depression, loneliness _ENREF_8 [3,4,5,6,7], and fear of their child’s cancer recurring [4,5].”
From Providing psychological support to parents of childhood cancer survivors: ‘cascade’ intervention trial results and lessons for the future (2021) · cites this paper as [6]
Cites
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: the PRISMA statement
Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & for the PRISMA Group (2009) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.b2535 · Cited by 83,823 · see citing works
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement
Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & The PRISMA Group (2009) · PLoS Medicine · doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097 · Cited by 64,042 · see citing works
Kazak, A. E. (2004) · Journal of Pediatric Psychology · doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsh022 · Cited by 505 · see citing works
Ljungman, L., Cernvall, M., Grönqvist, H., Ljótsson, B., Ljungman, G., & von Essen, L. (2014) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0103340 · Cited by 234 · see citing works
Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence Based Practice Model and Guidelines
Dearholt, S. L., & Dang, D. (2012) · Cited by 194 · see citing works
Parental adjustment to the completion of their child's cancer treatment
Wakefield, C. E., McLoone, J. K., Butow, P., Lenthen, K., & Cohn, R. J. (2011) · Pediatric Blood & Cancer · doi:10.1002/pbc.22725 · Cited by 177 · see citing works
Wakefield, C. E., McLoone, J. K., Goodenough, B., Lenthen, K., Cairns, D. R., & Cohn, R. J. (2009) · Journal of Pediatric Psychology · doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsp056 · Cited by 161 · see citing works
Klassen, A. F., Anthony, S. J., Khan, A., Sung, L., & Klaassen, R. J. (2011) · Supportive Care in Cancer · doi:10.1007/s00520-011-1193-x · Cited by 153 · see citing works
Arpawong, T. E., Oland, A. A., Milam, J. E., Ruccione, K. S., & Meeske, K. (2013) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.3286 · Cited by 144 · see citing works
Promoting resilience among parents and caregivers of children with cancer
Rosenberg, A. R., Baker, K. S., Syrjala, K. L., Back, A. L., & Wolfe, J. (2013) · Journal of Palliative Medicine · doi:10.1089/jpm.2012.0494 · Cited by 139 · see citing works
Michel, G., Taylor, N. F., Absolom, K. L., & Eiser, C. (2009) · Child Care Health and Development · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2009.01034.x · Cited by 119 · see citing works
Eshelman‐Kent, D. A., Kinahan, K. E., Hobbie, W. L., Landier, W., Teal, S., Friedman, D. L., Nagarajan, R., & Freyer, D. R. (2011) · Journal of Cancer Survivorship · doi:10.1007/s11764-011-0192-8 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Ljungman, L., Hovén, E., Ljungman, G., Cernvall, M., & von Essen, L. (2015) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.3856 · Cited by 109 · see citing works
Family information needs at childhood cancer treatment completion
Wakefield, C. E., Butow, P., Fleming, C. A. K., Daniel, G., & Cohn, R. J. (2012) · Pediatric Blood & Cancer · doi:10.1002/pbc.23316 · Cited by 104 · see citing works
Kunin‐Batson, A. S., Lu, X., Balsamo, L., Graber, K., Devidas, M., Hunger, S. P., Carroll, W. L., Winick, N. J., Mattano, L. A., Maloney, K. W., et al. (2016) · Cancer · doi:10.1002/cncr.29946 · Cited by 104 · see citing works
Maurice‐Stam, H., Oort, F. J., Last, B. F., & Grootenhuis, M. A. (2008) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.1260 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Transitioning to Survivorship: A Pilot Study
Duffey-Lind, E. C., O’Holleran, E. W., Healey, M. W., Vettese, M., Diller, L., & Park, E. R. (2006) · Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing · doi:10.1177/1043454206293267 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
Mitchell, H., Lu, X., Myers, R. M., Sung, L., Balsamo, L. M., Carroll, W. L., Raetz, E. A., Loh, M. L., Mattano, L. A., Winick, N. J., et al. (2015) · International Journal of Cancer · doi:10.1002/ijc.29708 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
McLoone, J. K., Wakefield, C. E., Butow, P. N., Fleming, C., & Cohn, R. J. (2011) · Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology · doi:10.1089/jayao.2011.0006 · Cited by 84 · see citing works
Maurice‐Stam, H., Grootenhuis, M. A., Brons, P., Caron, H. N., & Last, B. F. (2005) · Pediatric Blood & Cancer · doi:10.1002/pbc.20661 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
Childhood cancer survivors' school (re)entry: Australian parents' perceptions
McLoone, J. K., Wakefield, C. E., & Cohn, R. J. (2013) · European Journal of Cancer Care · doi:10.1111/ecc.12054 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
Wakefield, C. E., Sansom-Daly, U. M., McGill, B. C., Ellis, S. J., Doolan, E. L., Robertson, E. G., Mathur, S., & Cohn, R. J. (2016) · Supportive Care in Cancer · doi:10.1007/s00520-016-3077-6 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Wakefield, C. E., McLoone, J., Butow, P., Lenthen, K., & Cohn, R. J. (2013) · European Journal of Cancer Care · doi:10.1111/ecc.12059 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Norberg, A. L., & Boman, K. K. (2011) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.2091 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
McKenzie, S., & Curle, C. (2011) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.1953 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Health‐related quality of life after completion of successful treatment for childhood cancer
Engelen, V., Koopman, H. M., Detmar, S. B., Raat, H., van de Wetering, M. D., Brons, P., Anninga, J., Abbink, F. C. H., & Grootenhuis, M. A. (2010) · Pediatric Blood & Cancer · doi:10.1002/pbc.22795 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Supporting Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer Through Transitions
Wilkins, K. L., D’Agostino, N. M., Penney, A. M., Barr, R. D., & Nathan, P. C. (2014) · Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology · doi:10.1097/mph.0000000000000103 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Muskat, B., Jones, H., Lucchetta, S. A., Shama, W., Zupanec, S., & Greenblatt, A. (2017) · Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing · doi:10.1177/1043454217703594 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Maurice-Stam, H., Oort, F. J., Last, B., Brons, P., Caron, H. N., & Grootenhuis, M. (2009) · European Journal of Cancer Care · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2354.2008.01041.x · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Karst, J. S., Hoag, J. A., Chan, S. F., Schmidt, D., Anderson, L., Englebert, N. E., Igler, E. C., & Bingen, K. M. (2018) · Pediatric Blood & Cancer · doi:10.1002/pbc.27109 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Integrating the Child into Home and Community Following the Completion of Cancer Treatment
Labay, L. E., Mayans, S., & Harris, M. B. (2004) · Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing · doi:10.1177/1043454204264396 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Trying to Feel Normal Again: Early Survivorship for Adolescent Cancer Survivors
Walker, A. J., Lewis, F. M., Lin, Y.-T., Zahlis, E. H., & Rosenberg, A. R. (2018) · Cancer Nursing · doi:10.1097/ncc.0000000000000629 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Identifying the Educational Needs of Parents at the Completion of Their Child’s Cancer Therapy
Hobbie, W. L., Ogle, S. K., Reilly, M., Ginsberg, J. P., Rourke, M., Ratcliffe, S., & Deatrick, J. A. (2010) · Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing · doi:10.1177/1043454209360778 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Maurice‐Stam, H., Grootenhuis, M. A., Brons, P., Caron, H. N., & Last, B. F. (2007) · Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology · doi:10.1097/mph.0b013e3181256b66 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Ruccione, K. S., Lu, Y., & Meeske, K. (2013) · Cancer Nursing · doi:10.1097/ncc.0b013e3182902119 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Ortiz, M. C. A., & de Lima, R. A. G. (2007) · Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem · doi:10.1590/s0104-11692007000300008 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Quast, L. F., Turner, E. M., McCurdy, M. D., & Hocking, M. C. (2016) · Journal of Psychosocial Oncology · doi:10.1080/07347332.2016.1175535 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Peikert, M. L., Inhestern, L., & Bergelt, C. (2017) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014505 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Wikman, A., Ljungman, L., Pingel, R., Hagedoorn, M., Sanderman, R., von Essén, L., & Cernvall, M. (2017) · Acta Oncologica · doi:10.1080/0284186x.2017.1355562 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Lamanna, J. D., Trapp, S. K., Russell, C. C., & Stern, M. (2014) · Child Care Health and Development · doi:10.1111/cch.12210 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Bradford, N., McDonald, F. E. J., Bibby, H., Kok, C., & Patterson, P. (2022) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.5987 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Wakefield, C. E., Sansom-Daly, U. M., McGill, B. C., Hetherington, K., Ellis, S. J., Robertson, E. G., Donoghoe, M. W., McCarthy, M., Kelada, L., Girgis, A., et al. (2021) · Cancers · doi:10.3390/cancers13225597 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Bekui, B. A. A., Ohene, L. A., Badzi, C. D., Ampomah, M. O., & Aziato, L. (2022) · Nursing Open · doi:10.1002/nop2.1359 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Mensah, A. B. B., Nunoo, H., Mensah, K. B., Okyere, J., Dzomeku, V. M., Apiribu, F., Asoogo, C., & Clegg‐Lamptey, J. (2023) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-023-01406-w · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Salem, H., Kazak, A. E., Andersen, E. W., Belmonte, F., Johansen, C., Schmiegelow, K., Winther, J. F., Wehner, P. S., Hasle, H., Rosthøj, S., et al. (2020) · Pediatric Blood & Cancer · doi:10.1002/pbc.28853 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Thiblin, E., Woodford, J., Reuther, C., Lundgren, J., Lutvica, N., & von Essén, L. (2022) · Cancer Medicine · doi:10.1002/cam4.5377 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Supportive care needs of adolescents and young adults 5 years after cancer: a qualitative study
Baudry, V., Girodet, M., Lochmann, M., Bottichio, M., Charton, É., Flahault, C., Baudry, A., Bertrand, A., & Christophe, V. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1268113 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Lundgren, J., Thiblin, E., Lutvica, N., Reuther, C., Farrand, P. A., Woodford, J., & von Essén, L. (2022) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.6074 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Ochoa, C. Y., Chan, R. Y., Cervantes, L., Baezconde-Garbanati, L. A., Farias, A. J., Milam, J. E., Cho, J., & Miller, K. A. (2022) · Cancer Causes & Control · doi:10.1007/s10552-022-01651-1 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Larsen, E. H., Mellblom, A. V., Ruud, E., Wahl, A. K., & Lie, H. C. (2022) · European Journal of Oncology Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2022.102150 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Keller, M. C., Needham, A., Holden, E., Engelke, K., Foy, K., Hart, L., & Hinderer, K. A. (2024) · Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing · doi:10.1177/27527530231194598 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Self-citationPerez, M. N., Madden, R. E., Zukin, H. N., Velázquez‐Martin, B., & Barakat, L. P. (2023) · Pediatric Blood & Cancer · doi:10.1002/pbc.30540 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Shao, Y., Li, W. H. C., Zhou, R., & Cheung, A. T. (2024) · Cancer Nursing · doi:10.1097/ncc.0000000000001368 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Zhou, S., Li, H., Yang, Y., Qi, Y., Liu, W., Mo, L., & Wong, C. L. (2025) · BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies · doi:10.1186/s12906-025-04866-2 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Lundgren, J., Reuther, C., Farrand, P. A., Lutvica, N., Thiblin, E., von Essén, L., & Woodford, J. (2025) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-025-02860-4 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Laere, E. V., Vanderhaegen, J., Prikken, S., Lemiere, J., Uyttebroeck, A., & Luyckx, K. (2025) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.70113 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Larsen, E. H., Wahl, A. K., Ruud, E., Mellblom, A. V., Ålykkja, A., & Lie, H. C. (2024) · Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing · doi:10.1177/27527530231214528 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Akbarbegloo, M., Sanaeefar, M., Karimi, M., & Hoseini, M. (2024) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-024-19404-x · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Goldschmidt, C. D., Lamore, K., Jakab, Z., de Goyet, M. D. V., Heinrich, S., Bathilde, L., Berger, C., Beek, L. R., Beauchesne, M., Cserhati, E. B., et al. (2025) · Cancers · doi:10.3390/cancers17081310 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Perez, M. N., Deatrick, J. A., & Barakat, L. P. (2023) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.6263 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Larsen, E. H., Ålykkja, A., Mellblom, A. V., Ruud, E., Wahl, A. K., & Lie, H. C. (2025) · Journal of Advanced Nursing · doi:10.1111/jan.16750 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Vanlaer, C., Dichamp, C., Elenga, N., Delion, F., Raimondo, G., Fasola, S., Haghiri, S., Michaux, K., Hatchuel, Y., Faivre, B., et al. (2025) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.70242 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Baudry, V., Bertrand, A., Bottichio, M., Escot, N., Despax, J., Girodet, M., & Christophe, V. (2025) · Cancer Care Research Online · doi:10.1097/cr9.0000000000000071 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
What Matters Most: The Top 10 Child and Adolescent Cancer Research Priorities in Australia
Silva, G. D., Robertson, E. G., Bowers, A. P., Schilstra, C. E., Patel, S. K., McCarthy, M. C., McLoone, J. K., Pole, J. D., Sansom‐Daly, U. M., Oppelaar, S., et al. (2026) · Health Expectations · doi:10.1111/hex.70689 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Flannery, M. K., Morin, J., O’Malley, K., Schmidt, D., & Hoag, J. A. (2025) · Children · doi:10.3390/children12040399 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Speciální pedagogika osob s omezením pohyblivosti a koncept praxe založené na důkazech
Kameník, J. (2023) · doi:10.5507/pdf.23.24462745 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Dodani, S., Sattin, R. W., & Marion, L. N. (2008) · Circulation · Cited by 1 · see citing works
McCarthy, M., Williams, C. T., Tennant, M., Lourenço, R. D. A., Pring, H., Moore, K., Templeton, J., Knight, K., Downie, P., Hearps, S. J. C., et al. (2025) · doi:10.2196/preprints.85901
McCarthy, M., Williams, C., Tennant, M., Lourenço, R. D. A., Pring, H., Moore, K., Templeton, J., Knight, K., Downie, P., Hearps, S. J. C., et al. (2025) · JMIR Research Protocols · doi:10.2196/85901
Demoor-Goldschmidt, C., Michel, G., Roganovic, J., Thierry-Chef, I., Lähteenmäki, P. M., Muraca, M., Jakab, Z., chevenez, L., Potter, E. J., Garami, M., et al. (2025) · BMC Cancer · doi:10.1186/s12885-025-14897-0
Mensah, A. B. B., Nunoo, H., Mensah, K. B., Okyere, J., Dzomeku, V. M., Apiribu, F., Asoogo, C., & Clegg-Lamptey, J.-N. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26633613
- Authors
- Conway Keller, M., King, C., Hart, L., Engelke, K., Needham, A., Holden, E., Foy, K., & Lucas, R.
- Affiliations
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
- Connecticut Children's Medical Center (US)
- University of Connecticut (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Psychosocial Oncology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2020-06-30
- Volume
- 38
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 573-591
- ISSN
- 0734-7332 (ISSN-L)
- 1540-7586
- OpenAlex
- W3040064588
- Cited by
- 31
- References
- 40
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1
- FWCI
- 0.66
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Psychosocial Oncology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Family Support in Illness
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative and Oncologic Care
- Keywords
- childhood cancer, adolescent cancer, parents of children with cancer, patient and family experiences, anxiety, uncertainty, family functioning, family distress, coping, psychosocial support, personalized interventions
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Psychology, Adolescent, Child, Psychology, Child, Humans, Neoplasms, Parents
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
