Changes in body composition after childhood cancer treatment: Impact on future health status—A review

PurposeTo describe data on changes in body composition in childhood cancer survivors. Underlying mechanisms in development of obesity are addressed, in order to discuss intervention strategies.MethodsA systematic literature search was undertaken with a number of search terms.ResultsFemale survivors of ALL and brain tumours, especially if treated with cranial irradiation, showed a higher prevalence of obesity compared with the general population, while survivors of other malignancies had a higher prevalence of underweight. Influences of corticosteroid treatment and cytostatics on body composition are uncertain. Diminished physical activity, early adiposity rebound (<5 years of age) and/or hypothalamic involvement of tumour or treatment, and subsequent growth hormone deficiency, may play a role in the development of obesity in childhood cancer survivors.ConclusionLongitudinal prospective studies in more extensive cohorts are necessary to estimate actual prevalence and facilitate the unravelling of the underlying mechanisms in change of body composition.