title: Wilms' tumour in African children: Can an institutional approach improve outcome?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The poor outcome for patients with Wilms' tumour (WT) in developing countries has been predicated on late presentation, poverty and low rate of chemotherapeutic access. This study aims to evaluate the effects of an institutionalised approach to improving outcome for patients managed in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Oncology records of children diagnosed with WT between 2009 and 2013 were analysed for therapy completion and other prognostic parameters. Ensuing data were then compared with those from other centres in Africa.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with results from some local and African studies, the therapy completion rate was higher (60%) with a survival rate among this group being between 1 and 4 years. No patient was lost to follow-up because of unavailability or unaffordability of cytotoxic agents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that an institutionalised approach can help to improve access to anti-cancer drugs, reduce the rate of loss to follow-up and thus improve outcome. There is however need to improve on patient-doctor communication, form support groups and establish a WT registry.
authors: Lofty-John Chukwuemeka
authors: LJ
authors: Anyanwu
authors: Lofty-John Chukwuemeka
authors: LJ
authors: Anyanwa
authors: Department of Pathology, Bayero University/Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.
authors: Akinfenwa Taoheed
authors: AT
authors: Atanda
authors: Jareenat Oladoyin
authors: JO
authors: Atanda
mesh_terms: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D001706:Biopsy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D059012:Lost to Follow-Up; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends; D014157:Transcription Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D009396:Wilms Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; C411822:TOC1 protein, Arabidopsis; D014157:Transcription Factors