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Pediatric Cancer Registry at MAHAK Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Research Center: A Single-Center Study from Iran
Mohammad Faranoush1,2, Narjes Mehrvar2, Yasaman Sadeghi2,3
1Pediatric Growth and Development Research Center, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
Establishing a national childhood cancer registry in Iran is crucial. This study highlights the need for a centralized system to improve pediatric cancer survival rates and data collection for better treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Cancer Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Iran's current childhood cancer data relies on a fragmented hospital-based system, lacking a unified national registry for pediatric malignancies.
- Existing limitations necessitate a comprehensive study to understand childhood cancer patterns and advocate for a national registry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the characteristics of childhood malignancies in Iran.
- To provide data supporting the establishment of a national childhood cancer registry system in Iran.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional longitudinal study involving 1500 pediatric patients (<20 years) diagnosed with cancer between 2007 and 2014 at MAHAK Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Research Center.
- Data collected via a validated questionnaire covering demographics, clinical details, malignancy type, and outcomes.
- Statistical analysis using SPSS v22, with survival rates calculated via the Kaplan-Meier method (P < 0.05).
Main Results:
- The study included 1500 children (mean age 6.1 years); acute leukemia (30.7%) and central nervous system tumors (27%) were most prevalent.
- At treatment initiation, relapse rates were 29%, metastasis 19.5%, and secondary malignancies 1%.
- Overall mortality was 42%; 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 67.7%, 60.3%, and 53.8% respectively. Bone marrow transplant outcomes showed 14 deaths among 52 recipients.
Conclusions:
- A population-based pediatric cancer registry in Iran is essential for improving patient survival rates.
- Implementing a national registry will enhance data accuracy and facilitate targeted interventions for childhood cancers.
Abstract:
Background: The childhood cancer registry in Iran is a hospital-based system and there is not any unique and national registry system for pediatric malignancies in Iran. According to the limitations and requirements, this study was designed to clarify the aspect of childhood malignancies in Iran and promote establishing the Iranian national childhood cancer registry system. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional longitudinal study was implied on 1500 patients younger than 20-years old diagnosed with any malignancy and admitted at MAHAK Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Research Center (MPCTRC) from 2007 to 2014. Data collection was based on a validated questionnaire with three categories including demographic data, clinical data and type of malignancy, and outcomes. Collected data were analyzed using methods for qualitative and quantitative variables (P < 0.05) by SPSS software version 22. The survival rate was calculated by the Kaplan-Meyer method. Results: This study was implied on 1500 children with a mean age of 6.1 years old. The most common malignancy was acute leukemia (30.7%) followed by central nervous system tumors (27%). At the onset of starting treatment, the rate of conferring with relapse, metastasis, and secondary malignancies was 29%, 19.5%, and 1% respectively. In addition, 52 patients had bone marrow transplantation of whom, 14 cases died. Totally, 42% of patients died and the 3-years, 5-years, and 10-years overall survival rates were 67.7% ± 0.01, 60.3% ± 0.01, and 53.8% ± 0.01, respectively. Conclusion: Establishing a population-based pediatric cancer registry in Iran is necessary and will be useful for improving the survival rate of mentioned patients.
