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Pediatric tumors in north west Pakistan and Afghan refugees
S M Khan1, J Gillani, S Nasreen
1Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (IRNUM), Peshawar, Pakistan.
Insights
This study analyzed childhood cancers in Peshawar, Pakistan (1990-1994). Lymphoid leukemia and lymphoma were the most frequent pediatric cancers observed in both local and Afghan refugee children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Epidemiology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Childhood cancer incidence varies globally.
- Data on pediatric malignancies in Pakistan and among refugee populations are limited.
- Understanding regional cancer patterns is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the epidemiological profile of childhood cancers in Peshawar, Pakistan.
- To compare cancer types in local children from the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Afghan refugee children.
- To identify the most common pediatric malignancies in this region during 1990-1994.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 1655 children with biopsy-proven cancers referred to IRNUM (1990-1994).
- Categorization of patients into NWFP residents and Afghan refugees.
- Exclusion of cases with doubtful or unavailable histopathology.
- Statistical analysis of tumor types and demographic data.
Main Results:
- Lymphoid leukemia and lymphoma were the most prevalent cancers in NWFP children (67% male, 33% female).
- Lymphoma and lymphoid leukemia were also most common in Afghan refugee children (69% male, 31% female).
- Other significant pediatric tumors included myeloid leukemia, Wilms tumor, CNS tumors, and soft tissue sarcoma.
Conclusions:
- Childhood cancer patterns in Peshawar show a predominance of leukemias and lymphomas.
- Similarities in cancer types were observed between NWFP children and Afghan refugees.
- Further research is needed to understand the underlying causes and improve outcomes for pediatric cancers in this region.
Abstract:
All patients referred to the Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine in Peshawar (IRNUM) during 1990 to 1994 were analyzed. There were 1655 children with biopsy-proven cancers; 1290 were from the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), and the remaining 365 were Afghan refugees. Male children from the NWFP were 67% and females were 33%. Among Afghan children, 69% were males and 31% were females. Patients whose histopathologies were doubtful or not available were excluded from the study. The most common tumors in children in the NWFP were lymphoid leukemia, lymphoma, myeloid leukemia, Wilms tumor, tumors of the central nervous system (CNS), soft tissue sarcoma, bone tumors, retinoblastoma, neuroblastoma, and testicular tumors. Among Afghan children the most common cancers were lymphoma, lymphoid leukemia, myeloid leukemia, Wilms tumor, retinoblastoma, tumors of soft tissue, bone tumors, CNS tumors, testicular tumors, and neuroblastoma.