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Childhood cancer survival in Cuba
M G Boschmonar1, Y G Alvarez, A M García
1National Cancer Registry, National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology, Havana City, Cuba. rncinor@infomed.sld.cu
Insights
This study presents the first population-based childhood cancer survival data in Cuba from 1988-1994. Survival rates for leukemia and lymphomas show variations, with some comparable to international benchmarks.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cuba lacks prior population-based childhood cancer survival reports.
- The National Cancer Registry of Cuba initiated a survival study for childhood cancers diagnosed between 1988-1989.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a comprehensive overview of childhood cancer survival in Cuba.
- To establish a baseline for future comparisons and evaluate the impact of the National Program for Childhood Cancer Control.
Main Methods:
- Inclusion of all childhood cancer cases (ages 0-14) reported to the National Cancer Registry (1988-1989).
- Mixed follow-up method to determine vital status up to December 1994.
- Life-table method for survival analysis using SPSS for Windows.
Main Results:
- Leukemia (27%) and lymphomas were the most frequent childhood cancers.
- Five-year survival rates: lymphoid acute leukemia (41%), non-lymphoid acute leukemia (9%), Hodgkin's lymphoma (73%), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (35%).
- Survival rates for non-lymphoid acute leukemia and lymphomas were comparable to Bangalore, India.
Conclusions:
- The study provides crucial baseline survival data for childhood cancer in Cuba.
- While most survival trends were non-significant over time, future studies will assess the National Program for Childhood Cancer Control's effectiveness.
Abstract:
Reports dealing with childhood cancer population-based survival have not yet been published in Cuba. A survival study including cases reported to the National Cancer Registry in the period 1988-1989 have been accomplished in the National Cancer Registry of Cuba. A comprehensive view of its results in childhood cancer is intended to be shown in this paper. All sites childhood cancer cases aged below 15 years (400) and reported in this period were included derived from a total of 578 incident cases. Vital status of cases was checked-up to December of 1994 by a mixed follow-up. Survival analysis was achieved by the life-table method using the SPSS for Windows software. Relative survival rates were not included because no differences were appreciated with the observed ones. Cases between 0-4 years and females account for the highest frequencies. Leukaemia accounts for 27% of the cases, followed by lymphomas and tumours of the central nervous system. Lymphoid and non-lymphoid acute leukaemia had 41 and 9% 5-year survival rate respectively being the latter comparable with Bangalore, India (10%). For lymphomas, Hodgkin's disease present better prognosis compared with non-Hodgkin lymphoma with 73 and 35% 5-year survival rates, respectively. Figures are comparable to the corresponding to Bangalore, India (72 and 33%, respectively). For time trends survival distribution were compared by period of diagnosis (1982/1988-1989). In all cases differences resulted statistically non-significant with lower rates for 1988-1989 except for lymphomas. International reports show increasing time trends for childhood cancer. Nevertheless, these results may serve as a milestone for future comparisons, corresponding with the creation of the National Program for Childhood Cancer Control and future studies will confirm the success of its measures.