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Child's Nervous System
Published in: Child's Nervous System 8/2015

01-08-2015 | Review Paper

Challenges and opportunities to advance pediatric neuro-oncology care in the developing world

Authors: Michael H. Chan, Frederick Boop, Ibrahim Qaddoumi

Published in: Child's Nervous System | Issue 8/2015

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Abstract

Purpose

As the morbidity and mortality associated with communicable diseases continue to decrease in the developing world, the medical burden of childhood cancer continues to expand. Although international aid and relief groups such as the World Health Organization recognize the importance of childhood cancer, their main emphasis is on the more easily treated malignancies, such as leukemias and lymphomas, and not pediatric brain tumors, which are the second most common malignancy in children and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the pediatric population. Addressing the needs of these children is a growing concern of several professional neuro-oncology-related societies. Thus, the goal of this review is to describe the current state of pediatric neuro-oncology care in the developing world, address the current and future needs of the field, and help guide professional societies’ efforts to contribute in a more holistic and multidisciplinary manner.

Methods

We reviewed the literature to compare the availability of neuro-oncology care in various regions of the developing world with that in higher income nations, to describe examples of successful initiatives, and to present opportunities to improve care.

Results

The current challenges, previous successes, and future opportunities to improve neuro-oncology care are presented. The multidisciplinary nature of neuro-oncology depends on large teams of highly specialized individuals, including neuro-oncologists, neurosurgeons, neurologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, palliative care specialists, oncology nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, pediatric intensivists, and social workers, among others.

Conclusion

Pediatric neuro-oncology is one of the most complex types of medical care to deliver, as it relies on numerous specialists, subspecialists, support staff, and physical resources and infrastructure. However, with increasing collaboration and advancing technologies, developed nations can help substantially improve neuro-oncology care for children in developing nations.
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Metadata
Title
Challenges and opportunities to advance pediatric neuro-oncology care in the developing world
Authors
Michael H. Chan
Frederick Boop
Ibrahim Qaddoumi
Publication date
01-08-2015
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Child's Nervous System / Issue 8/2015
Print ISSN: 0256-7040
Electronic ISSN: 1433-0350
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-015-2771-x

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