Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 27, 2026
Establishment of a Primary Culture of Patient-derived Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Published on: April 11, 2018
Pediatric Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcomas in Tanzania: Epidemiology and Clinical Features
E Mithe Siwillis1, Nazima J Dharse1, Trish Scanlan1
1Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Insights
This study analyzed pediatric sarcomas at a Tanzanian hospital, finding rhabdomyosarcoma and osteosarcoma are most common. These findings are crucial for adapting international treatment protocols for pediatric cancer in Tanzania.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Cancer Epidemiology
- Sarcoma Research
Background:
- Pediatric sarcomas are significant childhood tumors treated at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Tanzania's largest pediatric oncology center.
- Current treatment protocols are adapted from US and UK clinical trials.
- Limited data exists on common pediatric sarcoma types in Tanzania, hindering protocol adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a baseline of epidemiologic and clinical features of pediatric sarcomas diagnosed at MNH.
- To identify common sarcoma types for prioritizing treatment protocol adaptation.
- To understand similarities and disparities in pediatric sarcoma presentation in Tanzania compared to international data.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical and tumor features for children diagnosed with bone or soft tissue sarcoma (STS) between 2011 and 2016.
- Inclusion criteria: confirmed histologic diagnosis of sarcoma.
- Data collected included patient demographics, tumor type, clinical presentation, and metastatic status.
Main Results:
- A total of 135 pediatric sarcoma cases were analyzed: 89 (66%) STS and 46 (34%) bone sarcomas.
- Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) was the most common STS (66%), with embryonal RMS predominant (74%). Osteosarcoma was the most common bone sarcoma (80%).
- Over 90% presented with painless swelling, and most (87%) had stage IV disease, with lung metastasis being most common.
Conclusions:
- This is the first study documenting pediatric sarcoma features in a Tanzanian hospital.
- Embryonal RMS and osteosarcomas are key pediatric sarcoma types in Tanzania.
- Prioritizing these subtypes is recommended for adapting international treatment protocols to the Tanzanian context.
Purpose:
Pediatric sarcomas represent an important group of childhood tumors that require treatment at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), the largest pediatric oncology center in Tanzania. Treatment is often adapted from established childhood protocols validated in clinical trials from the United States and the United Kingdom. There are no studies describing the types of pediatric sarcomas most commonly seen in Tanzania to understand similarities and disparities with other countries and which sarcomas to prioritize in adapting treatment protocols. The objective of this study was to establish a baseline of the epidemiologic and clinical features of pediatric sarcomas diagnosed at MNH.
Methods:
Information was collected on clinical and tumor features of all children seen at MNH pediatric oncology unit between 2011 and 2016 with a confirmed histologic diagnosis of either bone or soft tissue sarcoma (STS).
Results:
A total of 135 cases were analyzed; 89 (66%) were STS and 46 (34%) were bone sarcomas. There was a slight female predominance (n = 69; 51%), and the mean age (SD) of patients was 6.3 (5.1) years. Greater than 90% (n = 123) of the cases presented with a painless swelling. The commonest STS, accounting for almost three-fourths of the cases (n = 66) was rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), with embryonal subtype being the most common RMS (n = 49; 74%). Osteosarcoma was the most common bone sarcoma, accounting for greater than 80% (n = 40) of the cases. Ewing sarcoma accounted for less than 15% (n = 6). Most of the patients presented with stage IV disease (n = 57; 87%) and lung was the commonest metastatic site.
Conclusion:
To our knowledge, this report is the first study documenting the epidemiologic and clinical features of pediatric sarcomas in a modern Tanzanian pediatric hospital. Embryonal RMS and osteosarcomas should be prioritized for adapting treatment protocols from other countries.
Related Concept Videos
01:20COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
01:26Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...
01:25Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
01:19Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
01:28Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management
In the initial assessment, a thorough review of the patient's medical history is vital to identify risk factors such as liver disease, alcohol...
01:27Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests