Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 21, 2026
Murine Model of Leukemia Relapse to Induction Chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Published on: October 17, 2025
Trends in survival for children with brain tumors, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and lymphomas in Japan, 2000-14
Kayo Nakata1, Veronica Di Carlo2, Melissa Matz2
1Cancer Control Center, Osaka International Cancer Institute, 3-1-69 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka 541-8567, Japan.
Insights
Survival rates for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in Japan have improved, but remain lower than in Western countries for brain tumors and lymphomas. Continued monitoring of pediatric cancer care is essential.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Cancer Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Assesses survival trends for childhood brain tumors, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and lymphomas in Japan.
- Utilizes data from 16 Japanese regional population-based cancer registries within the CONCORD-3 framework.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate survival trends for children diagnosed with specific cancers between 2000 and 2014.
- To compare Japanese childhood cancer survival rates with those in participating Western countries.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed data for children aged 0-14 years diagnosed with brain tumors, ALL, or lymphoma from 2000-2014.
- Estimated 5-year net survival using the Pohar Perme estimator, age-standardized.
- Follow-up extended for at least 5 years post-diagnosis or through December 31, 2014.
Main Results:
- In 2010-14, 5-year net survival was 69.6% for brain tumors, 87.6% for ALL, and 89.6% for lymphomas.
- Survival for ALL significantly improved from 79.7% (2000-4) to 87.6% (2010-14).
- Survival estimates for these childhood cancers in Japan were generally lower than in several Western CONCORD-3 participants.
Conclusions:
- Improved ALL survival likely due to enhanced treatment protocols.
- Lack of improvement for brain tumors suggests challenges in developing effective therapies for aggressive types.
- Continued monitoring of pediatric cancer survival using registry data is crucial for evaluating cancer care in Japan.
Background:
We assessed survival trends for children with brain tumors, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and lymphomas from 16 Japanese regional population-based cancer registries participating in CONCORD-3.
Methods:
We analyzed data for children (0-14 years) diagnosed with a brain tumor, ALL, or lymphoma during 2000-14, with follow-up for at least 5 years after diagnosis or through 31 December 2014. Five-year net survival was estimated by calendar period of diagnosis, age group, and morphology group (for brain tumors), using the Pohar Perme estimator, and age standardized by assigning equal weights to the three age-specific estimates (0-4, 5-9, 10-14 years).
Results:
Data on children with a brain tumor (n = 1293), ALL (1438), or lymphoma (508) were eligible. During 2010-14, age-standardized 5-year net survival was 69.6% for brain tumors, 87.6% for ALL, and 89.6% for lymphomas. Survival for ALL was 79.7% in 2000-4, and 87.6% in 2010-14. There were no notable trends for brain tumors or lymphomas. Point estimates of survival for these three childhood cancers in Japan were lower than in several of the Western countries that participated in CONCORD-3.
Conclusions:
The improved survival for ALL probably reflects improved treatment, whereas the lack of improvement for brain tumors may reflect the difficulty in developing more effective treatment strategies for these aggressive tumors. Treatment for lymphomas was established in the 2000s. To evaluate cancer care for children in Japan, we need to continue to monitor survival, using population-based cancer registry data.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
02:56Treatment Resistent Cancers
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
02:07Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
02:07Tumor Progression