Childhood Cancer Cases Research Articles

A Pilot Study in a Recently Established Childhood Cancer Center for Evaluating the Priority of National Pediatric Cancer Registry

Background: Pediatric cancers account for nearly 2% of all cancers worldwide. In 2018, there were approximately 200,000 newly diagnosed cases of childhood cancer. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the need for a national pediatric cancer registry based on case incidence. Methods: This pilot study was conducted on 100 children with cancer who were treated in a recently established pediatric hematology oncology department of Golestan Hospital. Demographic and epidemiological data were collected and analyzed using SPSS software version 25. Results: Sixty-four percent of children with cancer were girls, and the average age of the patients was 7.6 ± 0.42 years. The most common types of cancer diagnosed were leukemia, brain tumor, lymphoma, and retinoblastoma respectively. Metastasis was confirmed in 11 cases. The most prevalent clinical manifestations of cancer included fever, weakness, loss of appetite, paleness, and weight loss. Conclusions: The results of this study align with global rates and data. Based on the findings, the authors emphasize the necessity and priority of establishing a pediatric cancer registry in Iran's health ministry. Therefore, all healthcare workers and specialists in pediatric hematology and oncology should make concerted efforts to establish this registry.

Epidemiology and geographical patterns of common childhood cancers in Iran: Evidence from the National Cancer Registry

IntroductionCancer is projected to become the primary cause of death in the 21st century. Although childhood cancer is relatively rare, it remains a significant contributor to mortality among children. This study examines the geographical distribution of childhood cancer incidence in Iranian provinces using data from the National Cancer Registry between 2014 and 2018. Materials and methodsThis registry-based study analyzed data from 14,711 children under 20 diagnosed with common childhood cancers, sourced from the Iranian National Population-based Cancer Registry for the period 2014–2018. The age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) were calculated using direct standardization methods and reported per 1 million person-years. Spatial autocorrelation measures, including global and local indices such as Moran's I and Getis-Ord's G, were employed to identify high-risk and low-risk areas, assess overall spatial dependence, and pinpoint specific clusters and hotspots of incidence rates. ResultsASR for childhood cancer in Iran was 119.56 per 1 million individuals aged 0–19 years. Boys had a higher ASR (129.98) than girls (107.68). Childhood cancer cases increased from 2765 in 2014 to 3354 in 2018, with leukemia as the most common type, followed by brain and nervous system, lymphoma, bone, and connective and soft tissue cancers. Spatial analysis identified high-risk clusters in central Iran (Isfahan, Yazd, Tehran) and low-risk clusters in the northeast (Kermanshah, West and East Azerbaijan, Kurdistan). ConclusionThis study highlights high childhood cancer incidence in Iran, particularly among boys and in central regions, with elevated leukemia rates. These findings call for targeted prevention strategies and further research to address geographic and gender disparities and to improve care programs.

Alternative Splicing: A Potential Therapeutic Target in Hematological Malignancies.

Leukemia represents the most prevalent malignancy in children, constituting 30% of childhood cancer cases, with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) being particularly heterogeneous. This paper explores the role of alternative splicing in leukemia, highlighting its significance in cancer development and progression. Aberrant splicing is often driven by mutations in splicing-factor genes, which can lead to the production of variant proteins that contribute to oncogenesis. The spliceosome, a complex of small nuclear RNAs and proteins, facilitates RNA splicing, a process critical for generating diverse mRNA and protein products from single genes. Mutations in splicing factors, such as U2AF1, SF3B1, SRSF2, ZRSR2, and HNRNPH1, are frequently observed across various hematological malignancies and are associated with poor prognosis and treatment resistance. This research underscores the necessity of understanding the mechanisms of RNA splicing dysregulation in order to develop targeted therapies to correct these aberrant processes, thereby improving outcomes for patients with leukemia and related disorders.

A hybrid detection model for acute lymphocytic leukemia using support vector machine and particle swarm optimization (SVM-PSO).

Leukemia, a hematological disease affecting the bone marrow and white blood cells (WBCs), ranks among the top ten causes of mortality worldwide. Delays in decision-making often hinder the timely application of suitable medical treatments. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is one of the primary forms, constituting approximately 25% of childhood cancer cases. However, automated ALL diagnosis is challenging. Recently, machine learning (ML) has emerged as an important tool for building detection models. In this study, we present a hybrid detection model that improves the accuracy of the detection process by combining support vector machine (SVM) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) approaches to automatically identify ALL. We use SVM to represent a two-dimensional image and complete the classification process. PSO is employed to enhance the performance of the SVM model, reducing error rates and enhancing result accuracy. The input images are obtained from two public datasets (ALL-IDB1 and ALL-IDB2), and public online datasets are utilized for training and testing the proposed model. The results indicate that our hybrid SVM-PSO model has high accuracy, outperforming stand-alone algorithms and demonstrating superior performance, an enhanced confusion matrix, and a higher detection rate. This advancement holds promise for enhancing the quality of technical software in the medical field using machine learning.

The overwhelming problem of childhood cancer in Mexico

Childhood cancer is the second cause of mortality of the population between 4 and 15 years. More than 20 million new cases of cancer in the world are expected by the year 2025, and 80% of the load will be on countries of low to middle income. In the past two decades, significant changes have been observed in patterns of incidence, prevalence, survival, and childhood cancer mortality in Mexico. An extensive review of all the published studies in Mexico by various health institutions revealed a steady 18-year trend of 150 new cases/million/year. The prevalence showed that acute leukemias constitute a 50% of all childhood cancer cases, followed by lymphoma (Hodkin and non-Hodgkin), and primary malignant brain tumors. A significant survival rate was observed in 8 thousand children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia with an overall 5-year survival rate of 62%, with a range of 45 to 73%. The national mortality rate for all types of cancer was 5.2/100,000/year, which is higher than what is reported in most middle-income countries. In the face of the current results, the need arises to modify how we approach this group of diseases by integrating a socio-educational healthcare of the Mexican children who are currently treated under unfavorable conditions. The current sanitary authorities must be aware of the importance of the transmission and adjustment of the care received by children with these diseases at a national level, to be in line with international standards. KEYWORDS: Childhood Cancer, Morbidity, Mortality, leukemia, lymphoma

The Impact of Structural and Meso-Level Factors on Caregiver Coping Abilities When Supporting a Child with Cancer: A Qualitative Study.

Family caregivers of children diagnosed with cancer often experience periods of significant stress. We provide an in-depth examination of the impacts of structural (health care and leave policies) and meso-level (organizations and communities/social networks) factors on caregiver coping during childhood cancer treatment. We conducted a secondary analysis of a comprehensive qualitative dataset examining the impacts of structural and meso-level factors on caregiver coping from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 49 caregivers representing 38 unique cases of childhood cancer. Using a modified grounded theory approach, transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Caregivers experienced multiple and often intersecting structural and meso-level factors, both facilitating and impeding their ability to cope during their child's cancer treatment. Our analysis revealed the following themes: having few out-of-pocket medical expenses, access to paid time off from employment, and support from one's health system, organizations, or community/social networks fostered caregiver coping. Significant financial burdens due to cancer treatment, having to take unpaid leave from employment, remaining employed regardless of one's circumstances, and lack of support from one's health system, organizations, or community/social networks hindered caregiver coping. Our findings point to several policies that may ease caregiver burden and facilitate caregiver coping during childhood cancer treatment.

Childhood cancer presentation and initial outcomes in Ethiopia: Findings from a recently opened pediatric oncology unit.

There were no pediatric oncology centers in southwest Ethiopia prior to 2016. This study aims to describe presenting diagnoses and initial outcomes at Jimma University Medical Center (JUMC), the first pediatric oncology unit (POU) in southwest Ethiopia, provide initial insights into regional pediatric cancer epidemiology, illustrate the rapid growth of pediatric cancer services, and highlight ongoing challenges. We used a retrospective descriptive approach to assess the epidemiologic pattern and initial treatment outcomes of pediatric cancer at JUMC POU from August 2016 through December 2022. During the study period, 749 children were diagnosed with cancer at JUMC. The mean age was 7.2 years (20 days-18 years). Acute lymphoblastic leukemia was the most common diagnosis (16.4%), followed by non-Hodgkin lymphoma (12.4%), Wilms tumor (11.1%), soft tissue sarcoma (8.8%), Hodgkin lymphoma (8.4%), and retinoblastoma (8.3%). Brain tumors accounted for only 2.7% of the diagnoses. Of the 703 patients that were not referred elsewhere, 42% of the patients abandoned treatment, 29% died, 17% completed treatment, and 7% remained on treatment at the time of this assessment. The findings emphasize the growth in the diagnosis and treatment of children with cancer in the southwest region of Ethiopia. The data suggests a different epidemiologic profile of childhood cancer cases diagnosed at the JUMC POU compared to high-income countries and neighbouring countries in Africa. Treatment abandonment remains a barrier to care. Ongoing areas of focus include establishment of a hospital-based cancer registry, reduction of treatment abandonment, improvement of diagnostic capacity, and increased access to advanced supportive care.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Program in Bungoma County, Kenya.

Awareness could play a key role in reducing underdiagnosis and accelerating referral of childhood cancer in low- and middle-income countries and ultimately improve outcomes. This study describes the implementation of a childhood cancer awareness program in Bungoma County in Kenya, containing five components: (1) baseline data collection of primary healthcare facilities; (2) live training session for healthcare providers (HCP); (3) early warning signs posters; (4) online SMS course for HCP; and (5) radio campaign. This study was conducted between January and June 2023. All 144 primary healthcare facilities (level 2 and 3 health facilities) within Bungoma County were visited by the field team. All 125 level 2 (87%) and 19 level 3 (13%) facilities participated in the study. National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) failed to cover services in 37 (26%) facilities. HCP were more often reported absent at level 3 (89%) than level 2 (64%) facilities (P = 0.034). The 144 live training sessions were attended by over 2000 HCP. Distribution of 144 early warning signs posters resulted in 50 phone calls about suspected childhood cancer cases. Sixteen children were later confirmed with childhood cancer and treated. Online SMS learning was completed by 890 HCP. Knowledge mean scores improved between pre-test (7.1) and post-test (8.1; P < 0.001). Finally, 540 radio messages about childhood cancer and a live question-and-answer session were broadcasted. This study described the implementation of a childhood cancer awareness program in Kenya involving both HCP and the general public. The program improved HCP's knowledge and increased the number of referrals for children with cancer.

Pediatric cancer registry in Turkey 2002-2023: 22 years of achievement (TPOG &amp; TPHD).

10051 Background: The survival rates for childhood cancer have seen significant improvements in high-income countries over the past few decades. However, in low- and middle-income countries, it remains a substantial challenge. Access to care remains a significant barrier to improving survival rates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The pediatric cancer registry is a crucial component of pediatric cancer control efforts. In this context, we present the findings from 22 years of the pediatric cancer registry in Turkey. Methods: The present pediatric cancer registry was established by Turkish Pediatric Oncology Group and Turkish Pediatric Hematology Association in 2002. The childhood cancer cases registered between 2002-2023 was included in this analysis. International Childhood Cancer Classification System was used for the classification. Essential demographic findings, ICD-O-3 morphology and topography codes were recorded for each case. Results: During the 22 years from 2002 to 2023, 50887 cases were registered. For all cases, median age was 6.5 year (0-19; M/F 28641/22233, 6 hermaphrodite, 7 unknown). Age distribution was 0-4 yrs, 41.1%; 5-9 yrs, 24.7%; 10-14 yrs, 23.1%; 15-19 yrs, 11.0%) The distribution of the tumor types were [number of cases, percentage of total, median age yrs, M/F]: Leukemia (14633, 28.8%, 5.6, 8510/6123); Lymphoma &amp; other RES tumors (8958, 17.6%, 9.2, 5956/3000, 2 unknown); CNS [brain &amp; spinal] (7299, 14.3%, 7.0, 4066/3232, 1 unkown); Sympathetic system (3783, 7.4%, 2.4, 1951/1831, 1 hermaphrodite); Retinoblastoma (1444, 2.8%, 1.5, 752/692); Renal (2310, 4.5%, 3.1, 1140/1168, 1 hermaphrodite &amp; 1 unknown); Liver (732, 1.4%, 2.1, 428/304); Malignant bone (3122, 6.1%, 12.5, 1747/1375); Soft tissue sarcomas (3675, 7.2%, 7.3, 2047/1628); Germ cell (2933, 5.8%, 8.9, 1077/1849, 4 hermaphrodite, 3 unknown); Carcinoma &amp; other malignant epithelial (1628, 3.2%, 13.1, 783/845); Other/non-specific malignant (370, 0.7%, 7.8, 184/186). Five-year survival rate was found as 71.1%. Conclusions: The survival rates for children and adolescents have improved to 70%, a figure comparable to that of other middle-income countries and reflective of the quality of pediatric cancer care in Turkey. This represents a successful pediatric cancer registry from a middle-income country, covering a period of over 20 years. It has become a valuable resource for stakeholders at both the national and international levels.

Childhood Cancer Incidence and Survival in South Australia and the Northern Territory, 1990-2017, with Emphasis on Indigenous Peoples.

Reports of a rise in childhood cancer incidence in Australia and globally prompted the investigation of cancer incidence and survival in South Australia (SA) and the Northern Territory (NT) over a 28-year period, with emphasis on Indigenous peoples. This cross-sectional analysis of two prospective longitudinal databases, the SA and NT Cancer Registries (1990-2017), included all reported cases of childhood cancers. Poisson regression provided estimates of incidence rate ratios and survival was modelled using Cox proportional hazard models for children aged <5 and ≥5 years. A total of 895 patients across SA (N = 753) and the NT (N = 142) were ascertained. Overall and in the NT, childhood cancer incidence was higher in males compared with females (IRR 1.19 [1.04-1.35] and 1.43 [1.02-2.01], respectively). Lymphocytic leukemia was the most reported cancer type across all locations. With reference to the 1990-1999 era (181.67/100,000), cancer incidence remained unchanged across subsequent eras in the combined cohort (SA and NT) (2000-2009: 190.55/100,000; 1.06 [0.91-1.25]; 2010-2017: 210.00/100,000; 1.15 [0.98-1.35]); similar outcomes were reflected in SA and NT cohorts. Cancer incidence amongst non-Indigenous children significantly decreased from the 1990-1999 era (278.32/100,000) to the 2000-2009 era (162.92/100,000; 0.58 [0.35-0.97]). Amongst 39 Indigenous children in the NT, incidence rates remained unchanged across eras (p > 0.05). With reference to the 1990-1999 era, overall survival improved in subsequent eras in SA (2000-2009: HR 0.53 [0.38-0.73]; 2010-2017: 0.44 [0.28-0.68]); however, remained unchanged in the NT (2000-2009: 0.78 [0.40-1.51]; 2010-2017: 0.50 [0.24-1.05]). In the NT, overall survival of Indigenous patients was significantly lower compared with the non-Indigenous cohort (3.42 [1.92-6.10]). While the survival of Indigenous children with cancer significantly improved in the last two eras (p < 0.05), compared to the 1990-1999 era, no change was noted amongst non-Indigenous children in the NT (p > 0.05). The incidence of childhood cancers has remained unchanged over 28-years in SA and the NT. Encouragingly, improved survival rates over time were observed in SA and amongst Indigenous children of the NT. Nevertheless, survival rates in Indigenous children remain lower than non-Indigenous children.

Abstract 706: Advancing radiotherapy strategies for high-risk rhabdomyosarcoma: Unveiling BCL-xL inhibition as a potent sensitizer to radiotherapy

Abstract Pediatric soft-tissue sarcomas are a group of solid tumors that account for about 7% of childhood cancer cases. Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common subtype, further stratifies into PAX3 or PAX7 and FOXO1 fusion-negative (FN) or fusion-positive (FP) RMS. FP RMS is the higher risk subtype and is more aggressive, metastatic, and less responsive to treatment. Front-line treatments for RMS FP patients have had limited progress in the recent years and existing treatments such as radiotherapy lacks tumor cell selectivity, resulting in toxic side effects. To address this, we conducted a high-throughput drug screen to identify radiosensitizers to enhance efficacy of RMS radiotherapy. Using three patient-derived FP RMS tumoroids, we screened a comprehensive drug library with and without radiation, comprising 528 drugs at varying stages of pre-clinical and clinical trials. A validation screen of the top 29 drugs was conducted on a larger cohort of samples including eight patient-derived FP RMS tumoroids and three non-cancer models. The screening revealed that drugs targeting the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma-extra-large (BCL-xL) exhibited both potent radiosensitization and cytotoxicity selectively for FP RMS. Notably, the sensitivity to BCL-xL inhibitors correlated with elevated BCL2L1 expression and PAX3 fusion status. Additionally, drugs targeting polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) and other cell cycle-related genes exhibited robust radioprotective effects across both RMS and non-cancer models. Our findings propose the therapeutic potential of BCL-xL inhibition, either as a standalone treatment or in combination with radiotherapy. In parallel, we show the protective potential of PLK1 inhibition to mitigate radiation toxicity. In the long term, we aspire to integrate the identified radiosensitizing and radioprotecting compounds with existing treatment regiments for RMS, maximizing precision and efficacy in RMS radiotherapy. Citation Format: Sammy Se Whee Park, Nona Struyf, Tom Erkers, Sören Lehmann, Michael T. Meister, Jarno Drost, Frank C. Holstege, Nikolas Herold, Päivi Östling, Jakob Stenman, Olli Kallioniemi, Jan-Inge Henter, Brinton Seashore-Ludlow, Kasper Karlsson. Advancing radiotherapy strategies for high-risk rhabdomyosarcoma: Unveiling BCL-xL inhibition as a potent sensitizer to radiotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 706.

Children with cancer at the end of life in a middle-income country: integrated pediatric palliative care improves outcomes

BackgroundIn 2020, the Global Cancer Observatory reported 280,000 cases of childhood cancer worldwide, with a higher burden of disease and mortality rates in low- and middle-income countries. In 2022, the National Institute of Health reported 1708 new cases of childhood cancer in Colombia and an overall survival rate of approximately 55%. The aim of this study is to compare outcomes in children with cancer in the hospital setting during the last 72 h of life who received concurrent Pediatric Palliative Care (PPC) versus oncology care alone.MethodsAn observational descriptive study was conducted between January 2013 and June 2022 in a center for pediatric patients with oncological diagnoses. In 2017, the PPC team was created. Patients between 28 days and 17 years of age who were hospitalized at least 72 h before death were included. A retrospective review of the medical records of patients in the last 72 h of life was performed. Two cohorts were established: oncology-alone group received exclusive management by oncology, and oncology and PPC received concurrent oncology and PPC management since the diagnosis.ResultsWe evaluated 257 medical records of deceased pediatric patients with cancer diagnoses. For the first cohort (2013–2017), 136 patients were included; for the second cohort (2018 and 2022), 121 patients were evaluated. The most frequent diagnosis was leukemia [47.1% (n = 121)]. No significant difference was found in either group between dyspnea, pain, and seizures. Dyspnea was the most frequent symptom in both groups. Agitation and anxiety were reported more frequently in children from the oncology-alone group (22.1% and 13.2%, respectively). The oncology and PPC group received more psychology and social work consultation (94.2% and 70.2% vs. 84.6 and 54.4% in the oncology alone group) and had a higher percentage of advance care planning (79.3% vs. 62.5% in the oncology alone group).ConclusionsThis retrospective study highlights that PPC at the end of life (EoL) offers a holistic approach to the physical and psychosocial symptoms experienced by children with cancer; these patients received more comfort through symptom management and less aggressive treatment at the EoL. The availability of a PPC team may contribute to improvements in the quality of end-of-life care.Trial registrationretrospectively registered.

Maternal autoimmune disease and its association with childhood cancer: A population-based case-control study in Denmark

BackgroundAutoimmune diseases have been linked to an increased risk of pregnancy-related complications. A family history of autoimmune diseases may be related to the risk of childhood cancer based on similar histocompatibility antigens. We utilized data from national registries in Denmark to examine associations between maternal autoimmune disease and cancer in their offspring. MethodsWe linked data from several national registries in Denmark to identify childhood cancer cases in children <20 years diagnosed between 1977 to 2016. Controls were selected from the Central Population Register and matched to cases by birth year and sex (25:1). Mothers with autoimmune disease diagnosed in pregnancy or prior were identified from the National Patient Register. Multivariable conditional logistic regression analyses were used to estimate associations between maternal autoimmune diseases and childhood cancer in offspring. ResultsAutoimmune diseases (all types) were positively associated with all childhood cancers combined (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.25, 95% CI 1.06, 1.47), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (OR =1.52, 95% CI 1.09, 2.13), Burkitt lymphoma (OR = 2.69, 95% CI 1.04, 6.97), and central nervous system tumors (OR = 1.45, 95% CI 1.06, 1.99), especially astrocytoma (OR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.36, 3.77) and glioma (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.13, 2.73). When we examined mothers with rheumatoid arthritis, we observed an increased association for all cancers (OR = 2.15, 95% CI 1.40, 3.30), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (OR = 3.55, 95% CI 1.69, 7.47), and central nervous system tumors (OR = 2.91, 95% CI 1.46, 5.82), especially glioma (OR = 3.58, 95% CI 1.40, 9.18) in offspring. ConclusionThere is a positive association between maternal autoimmune disease and childhood cancer. This association is especially prominent in the offspring of women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Genetic and transcriptional alterations and mutations of RB1 gene in retinoblastoma

Cancer is ninth among the leading causes of mortality for children in India between the ages of five and fourteen. Retinoblastoma (RB), an intraocular childhood cancer that affects 1 in 15,000 live births in India, accounts for 3% of all childhood cancer cases. In India, the majority of patients arrive at a later stage of their illness, leaving them with little alternatives for saving their lives and vision. Numerous lives and visions may be saved if the genetics of the RB were understood. In RB, autosomal dominant inheritance with varying penetrance was noted. Individuals who are heterozygous carriers of a germline mutation and have a favorable family history (6–10%) are more likely to develop melanomas, osteosarcoma, and soft tissue sarcoma in the future. Germline mutations might account for around 15% of unilateral patient’s varied penetrance of RB. RB1 gene, which is 180 kb long and has 27 exons, is the cause of RB. It was originally cloned and discovered to be a tumor suppressor gene in humans and situated on chromosome 13q14. There have been few reports of certain variants having varied penetrance and expressivity, despite the fact that the majority of patients with RB1 mutations have significant penetrance with clinical symptoms. Understanding the carcinogenesis and variability in the illness phenotype requires studying the transcript of RB1 and other tumor-related genes. The genetic and transcriptional research might be enhanced by epigenetic investigations of RB1 and associated genes.

Knowledge of Childhood Cancer Case Detection among Primary Health Care Workers in Osun State

Background: Survival rates of childhood cancer in Nigeria is low because suspected cases of childhood cancer are usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. It is hoped that assessing the knowledge gaps in the identification of warning signs and symptoms of childhood cancer among healthcare workers in primaryhealthcare facilities would lead to an improvement in early diagnosis, detection, and referral, which will subsequently reduce mortality from childhood cancer.Objective: To assess the knowledge of childhood cancer case detection among primary health care workers in Osun state.Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 210 primary health care workers recruited by multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Analysis was done using SPSS software version 23.0 and level of significance set at p&lt;0.05.Results: About 55.7% and 44.3% of the respondents had good and poor knowledge of childhood cancer respectively. There was a statistically significant association between respondents’ knowledge, their marital status (p=0.00) and years of experience with case detection practices of childhood cancers (p=0.006). Married respondents were 6 times less likely to have poor knowledge (OR 0.398, 95% CI 0.213 - 0.745, p=0.004). Also, those with 6-10 years of experience were 7 times less likely to have poor knowledge (OR 0.349, 95% CI 0.13 - 0.939, p=0.037)Conclusion: Respondents had good level of knowledge on detection of childhood cancer however, there is a need for continuous training to further build their capacities on detection of signs and symptoms of childhood cancers

Research on Rare Diseases in Germany - The cancer predisposition syndrome registry.

Cancer predisposition syndromes (CPS) are rare diseases that are associated with an increased risk of cancer due to genetic alterations. At least 8 % of all cases of childhood cancer are attributable to CPS [1, 2]. The CPS registry was launched in 2017 to learn more about CPS and to improve the care to those afflicted by these diseases. This is an internationally networked registry with associated accompanying studies that investigate cancer risks and spectra, the possibilities of cancer prevention, early detection and therapy. For several of these syndromes, new insights into the cancer risks and cancer types as well as factors modifying cancer risk have been gained. In addition, experimental, psycho-oncological, preclinical and clinical studies were initiated. The CPS registry is an example of how progress can be made within a short period of time to the benefit of individuals with rare diseases through systematic data collection and research.

Cohort profile: the United Kingdom Childhood Cancer Study (UKCCS) – a UK-wide population-based study examining the health of cancer survivors

PurposeThe United Kingdom Childhood Cancer Study’s (UKCCS’s) matched cohort was established to examine the longer term morbidity and mortality of individuals previously diagnosed with cancer before 15 years of age,...

Current Status of Pediatric Oncology Clinics and Nursing Practices in Turkey.

Background: Cancer is a significant health problem in Turkey with pediatric cancer being the fourth leading cause of death among children. Pediatric oncology has been acknowledged as a pediatric subspecialty since 1983, and 3,000 new cases of childhood cancer are expected every year. Method: We describe our country's geography, the number and distribution of pediatric oncology centers, the profile of clinical and academic nurses, and our clinical practice. We present two nurse-led research projects. Results: Although nursing practice differs according to centers, treatment and care are usually evidence-based, especially in university and public hospitals in big cities. Nurses with an undergraduate education work in pediatric oncology units; however, few nurses with graduate degrees work in clinical settings. The Turkish Oncology Nurses Association supports the development and implementation of guidelines for evidence-based nursing care. Nurses' clinical responsibilities include patient admission to the clinic, patient and family education, care coordination, patient care, symptom management, palliative, and intensive care services. Results of two recent nurse-led studies highlight challenges to meet the needs of patients and families from surrounding countries, including refugees, and opportunities for nurses to provide holistic support to parents of hospitalized children. Discussion: Increasing the number of nurses is a priority to improve pediatric oncology nursing care. Actions to advance pediatric oncology nursing include developing advanced clinical roles for nurses with graduate degrees; supporting nurses caring for children and families from outside Turkey, including language support services; and resources to conduct national and international studies related to professional and holistic care delivery.

Prevalence of Nephroblastoma in Children from 0 to 15 Years at Sikasso Hospital

Introduction: Nephroblastoma or Wilms tumor is the most common renal tumor in children (90%) and accounts for 5- 10% of pediatric cancers. The WHO estimates the annual number of new cases of childhood cancer at 160,828. In Mali, nephroblastoma is the 3rd most common malignant disease in children after lymphoma and retinoblastoma. The main objective of this work is to study the frequency of renal tumors in children aged 0 to 5 years in the hospital of Sikasso. Method: This will be a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study of all cases of nephroblastoma diagnosed over a 5-year period from 2017 to 2021 at Sikasso Hospital. Result: The most represented age range was 3 -7 years. Male gender was the majority in 62.50% of cases, with a sex ratio of 1.7. All patients had an abdominal mass, a lumbar contact. Patients with a duration of symptom evolution between 1 and 2 months were in the majority in 50% of cases. The tumor was unilateral in 87.50% of cases. Lung abnormalities were present in only 12.50% of cases. Hematuria was found in 37.50% of cases. Left kidney tumor was the majority in 75.00% of cases. Conclusion: Nephroblastoma remains the most frequent renal tumor in children, however, the delay in diagnosis remains a major challenge.

Childhood and adolescent cancer in Germany - an overview.

Childhood and adolescent cancer constitutes only a very small fraction of the cancer cases in Germany and throughout the world, but it is the most frequent cause of disease-related death in children. The diagnostic spectrum differs markedly from that of adults. More than 90% of all cases of childhood and adolescent cancer in Germany are treated according to centralised protocols or in therapy studies. The main epidemiological data for this group are collected by the German Childhood Cancer Registry (GCCR) since 1980. Based on this data, three typical diagnoses and their incidence and prognosis are described in exemplary manner: Lymphoid leukaemia (LL), astrocytoma and neuroblastoma. Approximately 2,250 new cancers are diagnosed in children and adolescents under the age of 18 in Germany every year. In this age group, leukaemia and lymphoma account for almost 50% of all new cancer cases, predominately acute forms. Overall, the prognosis is considerably better than in adults. There is relatively little consistent evidence available on external factors as risk factors for childhood cancer, despite decades of research. For LL, the immune system and infections are assumed to play a role, as early training of the immune system appears to be protective. To an increasing degree, research is identifying genetic risk factors for many types of childhood and adolescent cancer. The therapy is sometimes very intensive and leads to a variety of late effects for at least 75% of the survivors, which may occur soon after the primary diagnosis, but also decades later.