The burden of pediatric malignant solid tumors in a developing country.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluates the burden of pediatric malignant solid tumors (PMST) in southeastern Nigeria.


METHODS
Analysis of 174 cases of PMST managed at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, from January 2002 to November 2007.


RESULTS
PMST comprised 2.8% of pediatric admissions. Tumors encountered were lymphomas 77 (44.3%), Wilms' tumor 35 (20.1%), sarcomas 20 (11.5%), neuroblastoma 15 (8.6%), retinoblastoma 14 (8.0%), teratomas 8 (4.6%) and hepatoma 5 (2.9%). Mean time for diagnosis was 3.3 +/- 2.4 months. Advanced disease occurred in 135 (77.6%), while 39 (22.4%) had early disease. Only 166 (95.4%) commenced planned therapy, with 67 (40.4%) lost to follow-up. Of 99 children available for evaluation, 43 died (11 treatment related and 32 from relapse). Overall, 56 (56.6%) were alive after a mean follow-up of 20.7 +/- 10.5 months.


CONCLUSIONS
PMST are enormous challenge in our setting. Delayed presentation, poor treatment compliance and healthcare funding have to be addressed to improve outcomes.
Ekenze
Sebastian O
SO
Sub-department of Paediatric Surgery, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Southeast Nigeria. sebekenze@gmail.com
Ekwunife
Hyginus
H
Eze
Boniface I
BI
Ikefuna
Anthony
A
Amah
Christopher C
CC
Emodi
Ifeoma J
IJ
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome