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Precise Pediatric Cancer Diagnosis Using Immunohistochemistry: Reducing Cost of Care and Improving Outcomes in a Low
A M Akinsete1,2, U O Fakile3, O A Joseph4
1Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos State.
Insights
Accurate diagnosis of childhood cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is crucial. Enhanced diagnostics improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs for pediatric cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Medical Diagnostics
- Global Health
Background:
- Childhood cancer is a major global health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- Disparities in childhood cancer mortality are linked to late presentation, diagnostic inaccuracies, and limited access to appropriate therapy.
- Enhanced diagnostic tools are essential for accurate pediatric cancer diagnosis and timely treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the benefits of precise diagnosis in children with cancer in LMICs.
- To demonstrate the reduction in healthcare costs and hospital stays associated with accurate diagnosis.
- To explore strategies for improving access to advanced diagnostic techniques for pediatric cancers.
Main Methods:
- Focus on the importance of immunohistochemistry (IHC) and other advanced diagnostic methods.
- Contrast the limitations of simple histological diagnosis in resource-constrained settings.
- Analyze the impact of diagnostic precision on patient outcomes and healthcare economics.
Main Results:
- Precise diagnosis in pediatric cancer patients in an LMIC setting led to reduced costs of care.
- Improved diagnostic accuracy resulted in a shorter length of hospital stay for affected children.
- Enhanced diagnostic methods correlated with better treatment outcomes in the observed cohort.
Conclusions:
- Access to enhanced diagnostics like immunohistochemistry is vital for accurate pediatric cancer diagnosis in LMICs.
- Improving access to these techniques can mitigate misdiagnosis, reduce healthcare expenditure, and improve patient survival.
- Strategies to promote access are crucial for addressing global disparities in childhood cancer care.
Abstract:
Childhood cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is the second-leading cause of non-communicable deaths among children worldwide with more than 90% of childhood cancer-associated mortality occurring in low-income and middle-income countries. Disparity in mortality rates has been linked to late presentation, inaccurate diagnosis, treatment abandonment and poor access to appropriate therapy. Access to enhanced diagnostics such as immunohistochemistry (IHC) is vital for proper diagnosis and prompt institution of appropriate treatment for children with cancers. However, despite the ever-increasing insight into the use of these techniques for timely and accurate diagnosis of pediatric cancers; simple histological diagnosis remains the mainstay in most of the LMIC owing to financial constraints, unavailability of facilities and skilled manpower. Limited access results in imprecise diagnosis including missed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and wrong diagnosis, subsequently resulting in increased cost of care and poor treatment outcomes. This article focuses on the benefits of precise diagnosis among children who presented with cancers in an LMIC and the observed reduction in the cost of care, length of hospital stay, and improved outcome in the observed cohort as well as how to improve and promote access.
