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Challenges and opportunities for managing pediatric central nervous system tumors in China
Anthony Pak-Yin Liu1,2, Daniel C Moreira1,3, Chenchen Sun3
1Department of Oncology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN USA.
Insights
Pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors are a major cause of cancer death in children. This review highlights key challenges in China, including data gaps and treatment barriers, to improve pediatric neuro-oncology care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neuro-oncology
- Oncology
- Public health
Background:
- Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in children.
- Thousands of Chinese children are diagnosed with CNS tumors annually.
- Despite advancements, pediatric neuro-oncology faces unique challenges in China.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and discuss the hurdles in delivering pediatric neuro-oncology services in China.
- To identify challenges impacting treatment outcomes for pediatric CNS tumors.
- To explore opportunities for advancing pediatric neuro-oncology care.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of pediatric neuro-oncology services in China.
- Analysis of existing challenges in disease burden estimation and collaborative networks.
- Examination of treatment abandonment and financial toxicity issues.
Main Results:
- Key challenges include imprecise disease burden data, lack of collaborative networks, high rates of treatment abandonment, and financial toxicity.
- These factors impede optimal care delivery and patient outcomes.
- Significant opportunities exist for improving pediatric neuro-oncology services.
Conclusions:
- Addressing data limitations and fostering collaboration are crucial for improving pediatric CNS tumor outcomes in China.
- Mitigating treatment abandonment and financial burdens is essential.
- Strategic advancements can enhance pediatric neuro-oncology care nationally and internationally.
Abstract:
Central nervous system (CNS) tumors represent the most deadly cancer in pediatric age group. In China, thousands of children are diagnosed with CNS tumors every year. Despite the improving socioeconomic status and availability of medical expertise within the country, unique challenges remain for the delivery of pediatric neuro-oncology service. In this review, we discuss the existing hurdles for improving the outcome of children with CNS tumors in China. Need for precise disease burden estimation, lack of intra- and inter-hospital collaborative networks, high probability of treatment abandonment, along with financial toxicities from treatment represent the key challenges that Chinese healthcare providers encounter. The tremendous opportunities for advancing the status of pediatric neuro-oncology care in and beyond the country are explored.
