Increased Risk of Kidney Disease and Hypertension in Childhood Cancer Survivors: New Findings

Recent research published in JAMA Network Open highlights that individuals who have survived childhood cancer are at a significantly elevated risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hypertension later in life. The study, conducted by Dr. Asaf Lebel and colleagues at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, analyzed data from over 10,000 childhood cancer survivors and compared their health outcomes with matched cohorts of hospitalized children and the general pediatric population.

The findings revealed that the incidence of CKD or hypertension was notably higher among childhood cancer survivors—about 20.85%—compared to 16.47% in the hospitalization group and 8.05% in the general population. Specifically, survivors faced a doubled risk (adjusted hazard ratio of 2.00) for CKD and an almost fivefold increased risk (hazard ratio of 4.71) for hypertension.

The most common types of childhood cancers in the study included leukemia, central nervous system tumors, and lymphoma, accounting for the majority of cases. These results underscore the importance of tailored surveillance and management strategies for childhood cancer survivors, aiming to detect and address kidney and blood pressure issues early. The researchers advocate for collaboration among kidney and cancer health stakeholders to develop clear, specific guidelines for monitoring and reducing the long-term health effects associated with childhood cancer treatments.

This study emphasizes the need for ongoing medical attention beyond cancer remission, highlighting that proactive care can significantly impact survivors' quality of life and reduce associated morbidity and mortality.

For more information, see the original study: JAMA Network Open - Chronic Kidney Disease or Hypertension After Childhood Cancer. Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-childhood-cancer-survivors-chronic-kidney.html