Summary

This research describes aspects of the survival experience. It focuses on the perceptions of the patients and their parents regarding the disease, its treatment and the psychosocial adaptation of the survivors. The study group consisted of ten children, aged six to twelve, and their parents. Interviews were administered separately to patients and their parents. Additionally, the children were given the Anxiety Line-State Inventory (IDATE-C) and the Child Depression Inventory (CDI). Analysis indicated that more than a half of the children returned to their daily activities, and have a good psychosocial adaptation, despite continuing parental anxiety concerning the risks of relapse or arousal of a new tumor. The psychometric scales revealed no significant evidence of anxiety and depression in the survivors. We conclude that surviving cancer implies living with the paradox of the "cured" status and the constant risk of relapse. The ways the survivor and his family cope with this doubt seem do determine the quality of their adaptation and reinsertion. Future studies are suggested in order to analyze the variables involved in the development of abilities to live with the paradox of cure.

Key words: cancer, survivors, child, quality of life, cure.