Bone mineral density surveillance of children and young people treated for cancer, if required, should begin two to five years after therapy has ceased, an international panel of experts says.

The new guidelines aim to harmonise advice globally following evaluation of the evidence.

“Some findings – such as the fact that methotrexate was not found to be a risk factor for BMD deficits – may be unexpected for some clinicians,” says lead author lead author, Dr Jenneke van Atteveld of Princess Maxima Centre for Paediatric Oncology in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

The guidelines from the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonisation Group (IGHG) were produced by a panel of 36 experts from 10 countries, representing a range of medical specialties.