Review maps psychosocial challenges faced by Chinese childhood cancer survivors

A scoping review of 36 studies has identified six domains of psychosocial late effects experienced by childhood cancer survivors in China: cognitive outcomes, psychological outcomes, social adaptation, post-traumatic stress symptoms, resilience, and fear of cancer recurrence. Anxiety and depression were the most frequently reported psychological problems, while difficulties involving attention, memory, and executive function were prominent among the cognitive concerns documented. The review, published in BMC Psychology, assessed research published from 2015 through October 2025 and found that the available evidence is dominated by small, cross-sectional studies concentrated in more developed regions.

The review included studies involving people diagnosed with childhood cancer before age 18. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts, resolving disagreements with a third reviewer, and the researchers extracted information about study design, participant characteristics, cancer type, treatment, and psychosocial outcomes. Most of the 36 included studies were cross-sectional, and many followed survivors for relatively short periods. Leukemia was the diagnosis most often represented, and chemotherapy was the treatment most frequently reported. The pattern of evidence does not provide a nationally representative picture of all childhood cancer survivors in China.

Psychological outcomes appeared more often than other domains in the literature. These included anxiety and depression, alongside post-traumatic stress symptoms and fear of cancer recurrence. The review also found evidence about social adaptation, resilience, and cognitive outcomes. Some survivors experienced difficulties with attention, memory, and executive functioning, although the authors cautioned that the findings should be interpreted in the context of survivors’ developmental stages. The evidence base was also limited by restricted representation of cancer diagnoses, small sample sizes, short follow-up, and insufficient age-stratified analyses, particularly among younger children.

Geographical concentration was a central limitation. Most research came from more developed regions, while rural populations were underrepresented. The authors noted that psychosocial experiences may be shaped by educational demands, sociocultural expectations, and regional disparities, but the review did not establish that any particular contextual factor caused a specific late effect. Similarly, the predominance of cross-sectional studies means the evidence primarily describes associations and outcomes rather than their trajectories over time. Longer-term, multicenter studies using standardized, developmentally appropriate assessments and prespecified age-stratified analyses were identified as priorities for future research. The authors also argue that these findings support integrating psychosocial care into pediatric oncology and survivorship practice, with support tailored to survivors’ changing developmental and psychosocial needs.

Subject of Research: Psychosocial late effects among childhood cancer survivors in China

Article Title: Psychosocial late effects of childhood cancer survivors in China: a scoping review

Article References: Liu, T., Hasen, F. H., Zhang, C., Liao, M., & Mo, L. (2026). Psychosocial late effects of childhood cancer survivors in China: a scoping review. BMC Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-026-05538-7

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s40359-026-05538-7

Keywords: childhood cancer, cancer survivorship, psychosocial health, anxiety, depression, cognitive outcomes, fear of recurrence, post-traumatic stress, scoping review, China, Psychosocial, late