Radiotherapy of childhood malignancies in Nigeria

Malignant tumours in children rank fourth after carcinoma of the cervix, breast, and head and neck tumours among the malignancies managed by radiotherapy in Nigeria. The management of these tumours constitute a myriad of problems which are probably responsible for the overall poor survival results observed. This paper analyzed and discussed the epidemiology, presentation and radiotherapeutic management of 122 paediatric malignancies seen and managed between 1981-84 at the radiotherapy unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. This unit was up till 1986 the only radiotherapy service available in Nigeria and the rest of the Anglophone West African states. The potential beneficial role of a multidisciplinary approach in the management of these tumours is stressed. Several other factors which may improve the quality of care and survival among this group of patients are discussed. The recent upgrading of radiotherapy services in Nigeria through the Technical cooperation assistance programme of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna has further improved the scope of radiotherapy facilities in the country. This is expected to result in improved standards of patient care, and survival.