2ndary Cancers in Cancer Survivors

As of 2001, there were almost 10 million cancer survivors in the United States, representing 3.5% of the population. 2ndary cancers in cancer survivors accounted for 16% of all incident cancers in 2003. (Ries LA, et al. SEER cancer statistics review. 1975-2000. NCI, 2003. http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2000) .
Some of these 2ndary cancers are the results of genetic dispositions but many are probably the result of the radiation and chemotherapy, especially with DNA damaging agents. As we move toward cancer as a chronic disease, our view of what is acceptable therapy will need to include the risk of inducing 2ndary cancers. Perhaps, targeted therapies will change the risk.