FAQ's

Q. What is a second cancer? What are the causes of second cancers?

A second cancer is a malignancy that develops in someone who has survived an earlier cancer. Formally referred to as second primary neoplasms, second cancers are also described as late effects of the original disease or of the treatment used to cure it.

Some second cancers result from the risk factors responsible for the original disease, such as a genetic vulnerability or simply aging. Some second cancers are caused by radiation or chemotherapy treatments that damage normal cells or suppress the patient's immune system.

Scientists do not fully understand why chemotherapy causes some cancer survivors to develop new malignancies. They believe radiation's role in second cancers is influenced by:

• the kind of radiation exposure the patient receives
• how much radiation the patient receives
• how old the patient is at the time of treatment
• the patient's personal and family medical history

A patient who has had cancer should be aware of the risk of developing a second cancer. However, patients should not refuse or discontinue treatment for fear of developing a second malignancy. The benefits of cancer treatment far outweigh the risk of developing a new cancer. Also, it is important to know that most people will not get a second cancer.

	What are some coping strategies for caregivers?