The study aims at carrying out a bibliographic review of research on topics related to siblings of children with cancer, from 1998 to 2003, in order to identify the knowledge available in the field and provide subsidies for nursing care for siblings of children with cancer. We used the following databases: MEDLINE, LILACS, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. We also used full online articles, through the publishing house OVID, with the following keyword combinations: cancer and siblings; cancer, child and siblings; cancer, adolescent and siblings. The analysis of publications allowed the identification of four topics: the impact of the disease on healthy siblings; the significance of the disease for the healthy sibling; social support and care and intervention needs. The data indicated that research focusing on siblings of children with cancer has been growing, especially in the fields of nursing and psychology. They also show the concern with transforming clinical practice in order to effectively intervene in the care provided to the siblings' psychosocial needs.
cancer; siblings; paediatric nursing