Objective:

to identify the effect that the disease has on the quality of life of children with cancer hospitalized in a hospital in the city of Medellin.

Methods:

descriptive study with 32 hospitalized children diagnosed with cancer. Sociodemographic and clinical information was collected. The Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) 3.0 instrument was applied.

Results:

the patients manifested mostly have some symptoms related to the disease or its treatment such as taste disturbance and pain before punctures. On a social level, school absenteeism was found (81.3%) and all patients said they felt accompanied by their family.

Conclusions:

cancer in pediatric patients generates alterations in their quality of life, which is why it requires the permanent accompaniment of their family and the nursing staff, generating a positive impact on the child that helps them to face the changes that the disease entails.