Oncology

Expanding knowledge, new screening technologies, and effective vaccines have opened new horizons in, and put pediatricians at the forefront of, preventing cervical cancer and other diseases caused by human papillomavirus. Here's what we know now and what it means for your patients. First of two parts.

Two separate studies show that Merck & Co.'s and GlaxoSmithKline's human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines appear highly effective in preventing cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, and genital warts.The recently completed trials involved Merck's Gardasil and GlaxoSmithKline's experimental vaccine. Earlier studies showed that Gardasil also protects against cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)-precancerous lesions that can develop into cervical cancer.

Children and adolescents who have had a malignancy are at risk of medical, psychological, and social late effects of their disease and its treatment. If you're aware of potential problems and how to screen for them, you can help ensure the good health and proper development of these vulnerable youngsters.

You can play a pivotal role in interpreting the diagnosis, understanding how deeply the disease affects psychosocial development, acting as liaison between family and oncologist, and?if treatment fails?supervising end-of-life care

Alternative therapies seem to thrive where mainstream medicine is most challenged. The focus here is on herbs and supplements used to treat childhood cancers?why they're used, what families hope for from them, and how the evidence stacks up.