Cataracts among cancer survivors
I was interested in this report, since after my chemo for my stem cell transplant, I was told I have the beginnings of cataract formation, and again every year since then. I had been told during my chemo treatment that cataracts are one of the many potential side-effects. I see an ophthalmologist annually in case of any vision problems.
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OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of cataracts in cancer survivors and their association with patients' demographic characteristics, treatment, and cancer type and the perceived effect cancer had had on their overall health.
METHODS: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional review of the results of a survey of long-term cancer survivors who had been treated at the authors' institution.
RESULTS: Of 3936 respondents to the survey, 168 (4%) reported having had cataracts. Cataracts were most frequent in survivors of hematologic diseases (chronic leukemia, 17%; myeloma, 13%; acute leukemia, 9%; and lymphoma, 7%). There were no notable associations between cataracts and gender, age, ethnicity, marital status, education completed, or work status. Cancer survivors with cataracts were more likely to report that cancer had affected their overall health (56% vs 39%). There was a trend of association between cataracts and prior treatment with bone marrow transplantation, but not corticosteroids.
CONCLUSION: Cataracts affect a minority of long-term cancer survivors, but those who reported them were more likely to report that cancer had had a lasting effect on their overall health. Vision evaluation for all cancer survivors is recommended.
Stava C, Beck M, Vassilopoulou-Sellin R.Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Am J Clin Oncol. 2005 Dec;28(6):603-8.
PMID: 16317272 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of cataracts in cancer survivors and their association with patients' demographic characteristics, treatment, and cancer type and the perceived effect cancer had had on their overall health.
METHODS: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional review of the results of a survey of long-term cancer survivors who had been treated at the authors' institution.
RESULTS: Of 3936 respondents to the survey, 168 (4%) reported having had cataracts. Cataracts were most frequent in survivors of hematologic diseases (chronic leukemia, 17%; myeloma, 13%; acute leukemia, 9%; and lymphoma, 7%). There were no notable associations between cataracts and gender, age, ethnicity, marital status, education completed, or work status. Cancer survivors with cataracts were more likely to report that cancer had affected their overall health (56% vs 39%). There was a trend of association between cataracts and prior treatment with bone marrow transplantation, but not corticosteroids.
CONCLUSION: Cataracts affect a minority of long-term cancer survivors, but those who reported them were more likely to report that cancer had had a lasting effect on their overall health. Vision evaluation for all cancer survivors is recommended.
Stava C, Beck M, Vassilopoulou-Sellin R.Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Am J Clin Oncol. 2005 Dec;28(6):603-8.
PMID: 16317272 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
posted by gwg at 5:15 PM
1 Comments:
My husband was very lucky, right before his diagnosis he actually had cataract surgery, so he is fine in that area!
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