Cancer survivorship: An insider's perspective

In 1977 at the age of nine, I was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma of the left fibula. At that time, the therapeutic strategy for Ewing sarcoma was being established. I was treated with multi-drug chemotherapy (Doxorubicin 490 mg, Vincristine 22.3 mg, Cyclophosphamide 10.8 g, and Dactinomycin 13,500 mcg), external beam radiation (54.0 Gy), and surgical excision (partial fibulectomy). This essay discusses the diagnosis and treatment of late effects of cancer therapy from a physician-patient's perspective. Six areas of clinical care and research are addressed: limb pain, systemic effects, hypothermia, pathology, genetics, and exercise.