Role of primary care physician in providing care for children with cancer

Children malignancies became very important clinical issue among oncohematologists and primary care physicians. Due to great progress in diagnostics and treatment, complete cure is possible in 70% of cases. Primary care physicians provide longitudinal health care for long-term survivors of childhood cancers with increasing frequency. The most important clinical problems they cope with are: infections (bacterial, viral and fungal), pancytopenia connected with chemotherapy, central venous catheter complications. Apart from that there are other problems like: late effects of treatment, possibility of relapse, or second malignancy. Oncological patients need individual vaccination schedule, special stomatological care and psychological support. The aim of study was to draw primary care physicians' attention in providing longitudinal care to gaps between intensive chemotherapy and during maintenance treatment.