CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH CANCER UNDERGOING RADIOTHERAPY: WHAT IS THE IMPACT ON SCHOOLING?

Introduction and Aim of the Study:When a child or adolescent is diagnosed with cancer, it represents a challenging ordeal that often brings significant changes to their daily life. School is an important concern for young patients, but a cancer diagnosis usually leads to school disruptions. The aim of our study is to evaluate the impact of radiotherapy treatment on the schooling of children and adolescents affected by cancer. Materials and Methods:This is a prospective study conducted in the Radiotherapy Department of the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat from January 2022 to December 2022, including 40 children and adolescents aged between 6 and 16 years undergoing radiotherapy or concurrent radiochemotherapy treatment for cancer. Results:The median age of our patients was 10 years, with a predominance of males (sex ratio = 2). The most common neoplasms were malignant hemopathies (35%), nasopharyngeal carcinoma (20%), soft tissue sarcoma (17.5%), brain neoplasms (15%), and others (nephroblastoma , neuroblastoma 12.5%).42.5% of the patients had previously received chemotherapy alone, 30% had chemotherapy plus surgery, and 27.5% had surgery alone.During our study, all patients received either radiotherapy alone (80%) or concurrent radiochemotherapy (20%). The average number of sessions was 22, held daily from Monday to Friday.All our patients were attending school before their diagnosis. However, 96% discontinued school at the start of their treatment, with only 4% continuing to attend school. The heaviness of the treatments received and their side effects are the main cause of school discontinuation. The distance between the treatment location and the patients home was also factor for patients undergoing radiotherapy. Conclusion:The discontinuation of schooling for children and adolescents represents a significant disruption in their daily lives, potentially impacting their psychological well-being. Furthermore, feeling different from other children their age can be challenging for them. Therefore, it is important to offer an adaptation of their schooling with specialized education to enable their social development and well-being.