Pediatric Oncology Situation Analysis (Jordan)

Abstract

This article highlights the current situation of pediatric oncology in Jordan by reviewing the available population based data from the surveillance. Cancer among children aged less than 15 years make up 4 to 6% of all registered new cancer cases in all ages each year. The major types of cancer in females for the year 2008 are leukemia 32.2%, central nervous system 18.8%, skeletal and soft tissue 8.8%, lymphomas 5.5%, and sympathetic 5.5%, whereas in males, they are leukemia 28.1%, central nervous system 18.8%, lymphomas 16.2%, skeletal and soft tissue 7% and sympathetic 6.3%. Children with cancer receive treatment through pediatric oncology wards in King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) and Royal Medical Services hospital or through pediatric departments in King Abdullah university Hospital and Princes Rahma hospital with full government coverage of the treatment expenses. Currently the pediatric palliative care program is limited to KHCC which provides inpatient care, and out-patients and drop-in care on a daily basis to provide symptom management, counseling, and other services as appropriate. The lack of palliative care in other hospital and pediatric home care coverage stress the need to develop special plan of action to initiate these services.