by KYW's medical editor Dr. Brian McDonough

Call it a case of being a victim of our own success. A growing number of children who have survived cancer are becoming adults.

Over the past twenty years we have made major strides in treating childhood cancer, but in doing so we have used chemotherapeutic drugs, radiation and many other forms of treatment that are toxic to the body. As a result we are beginning to see some of the long term side effects.

The most common situation is adult survivors of various acute leukemias. If you are one of these people there are steps you can take. First, get complete sets of old records from your pediatric care for you present doctor. Also make certain you stress the point that you are a cancer survivor and make your doctor well aware. Finally, if you see any unusual symptoms don’t let them linger.