Abstract
BACKGROUND
80% of childhood cancer are located in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The most common form of presentation is disseminated or metastatic disease. The rate of survival has not been equitable across the world, since in these countries only 1 of 5 children are cured.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical and histopathological features of patients with metastatic pediatric solid tumors, in a single referral cancer center in Honduras.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with pediatric solid tumors from January 2010 to April 2020. Among the 260 patients through a collection form, we obtained: sociodemographic characteristics, clinical presentation at diagnosis, common histological subtypes, sites of metastasis, treatment and outcome at the time of follow-up.
RESULTS
During the last 10 years, 260 cases of childhood cancer were referred to our center for treatment. 127 patients (48.8%), have a solid tumor, patients ranged in age from 1 to 18 years and distribution for sex were 38% for males and 62% females. At the time of initial diagnosis 40/127 (31%) have advanced disease (stages III and IV). We found brain metastases in 22/40 cases (55%), the primary cancer was localized at CNS in 13/22 (59%) and the most common extracranial tumors causing brain metastases were neuroblastoma (4/22), rhabdomyosarcoma (3/22), retinoblastoma (2/22). Currently in the follow-up there were 18/22 (82%) died and 4/22 (18%) are in treatment with palliative intent.
CONCLUSION
There is a lack of information about the epidemiology of brain metastases among children with solid tumors in the low/middle income countries (LMIC) where the prognosis of metastatic disease is very poor, despite efforts, multimodal therapy and multidisciplinary management, in absence of other options like bone marrow transplantation, and reliable access to high-quality medicines. For our countries, timely diagnosis is still the main determining factor for cure.
Using data to improve childhood cancer care in low and low-middle income countries, Ghana as an example
