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PURPOSE: To describe the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of children who received a diagnosis of retinoblastoma in 2017 throughout Asia. DESIGN: Multinational, prospective study including treatment-naïve patients in Asia who received a diagnosis of retinoblastoma in 2017 and were followed up thereafter. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2112 patients (2797 eyes) from 96 retinoblastoma treatment centers in 33 Asian countries. INTERVENTIONS: Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, enucleation, and orbital exenteration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Enucleation and death. RESULTS: Within the cohort, 1021 patients (48%) were from South Asia (SA), 503 patients (24%) were from East Asia (EA), 310 patients (15%) were from Southeast Asia (SEA), 218 patients (10%) were from West Asia (WA), and 60 patients (3%) were from Central Asia (CA). Mean age at presentation was 27 months (median, 23 months; range, < 1-261 months). The cohort included 1195 male patients (57%) and 917 female patients (43%). The most common presenting symptoms were leukocoria (72%) and strabismus (13%). Using the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual, Eighth Edition, classification, tumors were staged as cT1 (n = 441 [16%]), cT2 (n = 951 [34%]), cT3 (n = 1136 [41%]), cT4 (n = 267 [10%]), N1 (n = 48 [2%]), and M1 (n = 129 [6%]) at presentation. Retinoblastoma was treated with intravenous chemotherapy in 1450 eyes (52%) and 857 eyes (31%) underwent primary enucleation. Three-year Kaplan-Meier estimates for enucleation and death were 33% and 13% for CA, 18% and 4% for EA, 27% and 15% for SA, 32% and 22% for SEA, and 20% and 11% for WA (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: At the conclusion of this study, significant heterogeneity was found in treatment outcomes of retinoblastoma among the regions of Asia. East Asia displayed better outcomes with higher rates of globe and life salvage, whereas Southeast Asia showed poorer outcomes compared with the rest of Asia. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
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Neoplasias da Retina , Retinoblastoma , Criança , Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Lactente , Pré-Escolar , Retinoblastoma/diagnóstico , Retinoblastoma/epidemiologia , Retinoblastoma/terapia , Neoplasias da Retina/diagnóstico , Neoplasias da Retina/epidemiologia , Neoplasias da Retina/terapia , Estudos Prospectivos , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/uso terapêutico , Resultado do Tratamento , Ásia/epidemiologia , Estudos Retrospectivos , Enucleação OcularRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Inadequate numbers of trained healthcare providers (HCPs), contribute to poor pediatric oncology (PO) outcomes, particularly in low- and lower middle-income countries (L/LMICs). An understanding of the characteristics of the workforce challenges are vital for addressing these problems. METHODS: The Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) Group surveyed PO centers in countries of the North Africa, Middle East, Central Asia and Indian subcontinent on infrastructure and workforce capacity, service availability, and training opportunities for HCPs. Participating centers were categorized by the World Bank income levels for their countries and correlated with services, workload and staffing characteristics, and training needs. RESULTS: Fifty of 82 member-centers (61%) from 21 countries responded to the survey. 299 pediatric oncologists and 1,176 nurses treated 12,496 new PO patients/year, with a 1,451 beds utilization. The majority (71%) of new cases occurred in L/LMICs. The availability of HCPs correlated with country income level, as did pediatric subspecialty access, while availability of support services was unrelated. Twenty-five centers in 11 countries offered PO fellowship training for physicians, whereas 13 PO nurse training centers in 9 countries had the capacity to train 273 nurses annually. The survey respondents indicated that, among their existing workforce, an average of 3·5 physicians and 14 nurses per institution would benefit from additional PO training opportunities. CONCLUSIONS: The participating centers exhibited intra-regional heterogeneity in financial resources, infrastructure, workload, workforce, and medical services. Our findings provide insight into the disparities and regional resources available to POEM, which can be mobilized to rectify specific deficiencies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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BACKGROUND: Inadequate numbers of trained health care providers (HCPs) contribute to poor pediatric oncology (PO) outcomes, particularly in low- and lower middle-income countries (L/LMICs). An understanding of the characteristics of the workforce challenges is vital for addressing these problems. METHODS: The Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) Group surveyed PO centers in countries of North Africa, Middle East, Central Asia, and Indian subcontinent on infrastructure and workforce capacity, service availability, and training opportunities for HCPs. Participating centers were categorized by the World Bank income levels for their countries and correlated with services, workload and staffing characteristics, and training needs. RESULTS: Fifty of 82 member centers (61%) from 21 countries responded to the survey. Two hundred ninety-nine pediatric oncologists and 1176 nurses treated 12 496 new PO patients/year, with a 1451-bed utilization. The majority (71%) of new cases occurred in L/LMICs. The availability of HCPs correlated with country income level, as did pediatric subspecialty access, while availability of support services was unrelated. Twenty-five centers in 11 countries offered PO fellowship training for physicians, whereas 13 PO nurse training centers in nine countries had the capacity to train 273 nurses annually. The survey respondents indicated that, among their existing workforce, an average of 3.5 physicians and 14 nurses per institution would benefit from additional PO training opportunities. CONCLUSIONS: The participating centers exhibited intraregional heterogeneity in financial resources, infrastructure, workload, workforce, and medical services. Our findings provide insight into the disparities and regional resources available to POEM, which can be mobilized to rectify specific deficiencies.
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Países em Desenvolvimento , Mão de Obra em Saúde , Oncologia/educação , Neoplasias , Pediatria/educação , Criança , Humanos , Oriente Médio , Pediatras , Recursos HumanosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Although staff spiritual care provision plays a key role in patient-centered care, there is insufficient information on international variance in attitudes toward spiritual care and its actual provision. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of the attitudes of Middle Eastern oncology physicians and nurses toward eight examples of staff provision of spiritual care: two questionnaire items concerned prayer, while six items related to applied information gathering, such as spiritual history taking, referrals, and encouraging patients in their spirituality. In addition, respondents reported on spiritual care provision for their last three advanced cancer patients. RESULTS: Seven hundred seventy responses were received from 14 countries (25% from countries with very high Human Development Index (HDI), 41% high, 29% medium, 5% low). Over 63% of respondents positively viewed the six applied information gathering items, while significantly more, over 76%, did so among respondents from very high HDI countries (p value range, p < 0.001 to p = 0.01). Even though only 42-45% overall were positively inclined toward praying with patients, respondents in lower HDI countries expressed more positive views (p < 0.001). In interaction analysis, HDI proved to be the single strongest factor associated with five of eight spiritual care examples (p < 0.001 for all). Significantly, the Middle Eastern respondents in our study actually provided actual spiritual care to 47% of their most recent advanced cancer patients, compared to only 27% in a parallel American study, with the key difference identified being HDI. CONCLUSIONS: A country's development level is a key factor influencing attitudes toward spiritual care and its actual provision. Respondents from lower ranking HDI countries proved relatively more likely to provide spiritual care and to have positive attitudes toward praying with patients. In contrast, respondents from countries with higher HDI levels had relatively more positive attitudes toward spiritual care interventions that involved gathering information applicable to patient care.
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Oncologia/métodos , Assistência Centrada no Paciente/métodos , Religião e Psicologia , Religião , Espiritualidade , Adulto , Atitude , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neoplasias/enfermagem , Médicos/psicologia , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
Incorrect family name of Layth Mula-Hussain.
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OBJECTIVE: When patients feel spiritually supported by staff, we find increased use of hospice and reduced use of aggressive treatments at end of life, yet substantial barriers to staff spiritual care provision still exist. We aimed to study these barriers in a new cultural context and analyzed a new subgroup with "unrealized potential" for improved spiritual care provision: those who are positively inclined toward spiritual care yet do not themselves provide it. METHOD: We distributed the Religion and Spirituality in Cancer Care Study via the Middle East Cancer Consortium to physicians and nurses caring for advanced cancer patients. Survey items included how often spiritual care should be provided, how often respondents themselves provide it, and perceived barriers to spiritual care provision.ResultWe had 770 respondents (40% physicians, 60% nurses) from 14 Middle Eastern countries. The results showed that 82% of respondents think staff should provide spiritual care at least occasionally, but 44% provide spiritual care less often than they think they should. In multivariable analysis of respondents who valued spiritual care yet did not themselves provide it to their most recent patients, predictors included low personal sense of being spiritual (p < 0.001) and not having received training (p = 0.02; only 22% received training). How "developed" a country is negatively predicted spiritual care provision (p < 0.001). Self-perceived barriers were quite similar across cultures.Significance of resultsDespite relatively high levels of spiritual care provision, we see a gap between desirability and actual provision. Seeing oneself as not spiritual or only slightly spiritual is a key factor demonstrably associated with not providing spiritual care. Efforts to increase spiritual care provision should target those in favor of spiritual care provision, promoting training that helps participants consider their own spirituality and the role that it plays in their personal and professional lives.
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Pessoal de Saúde/educação , Pessoal de Saúde/psicologia , Neoplasias/terapia , Cuidados Paliativos/normas , Espiritualismo/psicologia , Adulto , Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Distribuição de Qui-Quadrado , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Oriente Médio , Neoplasias/psicologia , Cuidados Paliativos/métodos , Cuidados Paliativos/psicologia , Curva ROC , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related lymphoproliferative disorders are relatively common in Iraqi children. Burkitt lymphoma (BL) accounted for 40% of lymphoma cases. The mean age of 125 BL cases was 5.9 ± 3.1 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 3.6:1. Clinical presentation was abdominal in 66% and head and neck in 34%. Bone marrow involvement was higher (P < 0.001) in children with head and neck disease. Tumor cells had MYC translocation (96%) and were CD20+ /CD10+ /MYC+ /BCL2- . MUM1/IRF4 staining was expressed by a fraction of tumor cells in 19 of 125 cases (15%) and was more frequent (P < 0.007) in head and neck disease (12/42; 29%). EBV-encoded RNA was positive in 100 of 125 (80%) BL cases.
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Linfoma de Burkitt/epidemiologia , Linfoma de Burkitt/patologia , Linfoma de Burkitt/virologia , Biomarcadores Tumorais/análise , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Infecções por Vírus Epstein-Barr/complicações , Infecções por Vírus Epstein-Barr/epidemiologia , Feminino , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço/epidemiologia , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço/patologia , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço/virologia , Humanos , Incidência , Fatores Reguladores de Interferon/biossíntese , Iraque/epidemiologia , MasculinoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: KRAS and NRAS gene mutations are frequently observed in childhood leukemia. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of RAS mutations and the association between RAS mutations and other genetic aberrations in Arab Asian children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS: Diagnostic samples of 485 patients (<18 years) with acute leukemia from Iraq and Jordan were obtained, using Flinders Technology Associates filter papers. Polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing were performed in Japan. RESULTS: RAS mutations were detected in 86/318 (27%) of ALL cases and 35/167 (21%) of AML cases. The frequency of NRAS mutation was similar to that of KRAS mutation in ALL. Two RAS mutations were detected in nine patients. Among 264 Iraqi patients with ALL, RAS mutation was significantly associated with lower initial white blood cell count. Of 57 patients with chimeric transcripts, only two patients with either TEL-AML1 or E2A-PBX1 had KRAS mutation. The frequency of NRAS mutation was four times higher than that of KRAS mutation in AML. FAB-M4 and M5 subsets were associated with RAS mutation. Among 134 Iraqi patients with AML, 18 patients had RAS mutations and other genetic aberrations. In particular, 9 of 25 (36%) with MLL-rearrangement had RAS mutations. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of oncogenic RAS mutations was higher among Arab Asian children than in other countries. RAS mutations in AML were found to coexist with other genetic aberrations, particularly MLL rearrangement.
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GTP Fosfo-Hidrolases/genética , Leucemia Mieloide Aguda/genética , Proteínas de Membrana/genética , Taxa de Mutação , Mutação , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas/genética , Proteínas ras/genética , Adolescente , Árabes , Povo Asiático , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Histona-Lisina N-Metiltransferase , Humanos , Lactente , Iraque , Jordânia , Leucemia Mieloide Aguda/etnologia , Masculino , Proteína de Leucina Linfoide-Mieloide , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras/etnologia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)RESUMO
The lack of molecular diagnosis in the field of cancer in Iraq has motivated us to perform a genetic analysis of pediatric acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), including class I and II aberrations. Peripheral blood or bone marrow cells were collected from 134 AML children aged ≤15 years. Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) filter paper cards were used to transfer dried blood samples from five Iraqi hospitals to Japan. DNA sequencing was performed to identify class I mutations. Nested RT-PCR was used to detect class II aberrations, except that MLL rearrangement was detected according to long distance inverse-PCR. NPM1 and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) mutations were analyzed by GeneScan using DNA template. Among 134 Iraqi pediatric AML samples, the most prevalent FAB subtype was M2 (33.6 %) followed by M3 (17.9 %). Class I mutations: 20 (14.9 %), 8 (6.0 %), and 8 (6.0 %) patients had FLT3-ITD, FLT3-TKD, and KIT mutations, respectively. Class II mutations: 24 (17.9 %), 19 (14.2 %), and 9 (6.7 %) children had PML-RARA, RUNX1-RUNX1T1, and CBFB-MYH11 transcripts, respectively. MLL rearrangements were detected in 25 (18.7 %) patients. NPM1 mutation was detected in seven (5.2 %) cases. Collectively, approximately 30 % of AML children were proved to carry favorable prognostic genetic abnormalities, whereas approximately 10 % had high FLT3-ITD allelic burden and needed a special treatment plan including allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) was frequent among Iraqi pediatric AML. It is likely that molecular diagnosis using FTA cards in underdeveloped countries could guide doctors towards an appropriate treatment strategy.
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Aberrações Cromossômicas , Leucemia Mieloide Aguda/genética , Mutação , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Manejo de Espécimes/métodos , Adolescente , Alelos , Coleta de Amostras Sanguíneas/instrumentação , Coleta de Amostras Sanguíneas/métodos , Medula Óssea/patologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , DNA de Neoplasias/genética , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Iraque , Leucemia Mieloide Aguda/sangue , Leucemia Mieloide Aguda/patologia , Leucemia Mieloide Aguda/terapia , Leucemia Mielomonocítica Aguda/sangue , Leucemia Mielomonocítica Aguda/genética , Leucemia Mielomonocítica Aguda/patologia , Leucemia Mielomonocítica Aguda/terapia , Masculino , Nucleofosmina , Proteínas de Fusão Oncogênica/genética , Oncogenes , Papel , Prognóstico , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa , Manejo de Espécimes/instrumentação , Translocação Genética , Resultado do TratamentoAssuntos
Antígeno B7-H1 , Cromossomos Humanos Par 9 , Infecções por Vírus Epstein-Barr , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Herpesvirus Humano 4/metabolismo , Doença de Hodgkin , Proteínas de Neoplasias , Antígeno B7-H1/biossíntese , Antígeno B7-H1/genética , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Cromossomos Humanos Par 9/genética , Cromossomos Humanos Par 9/metabolismo , Infecções por Vírus Epstein-Barr/genética , Infecções por Vírus Epstein-Barr/metabolismo , Infecções por Vírus Epstein-Barr/virologia , Feminino , Doença de Hodgkin/genética , Doença de Hodgkin/metabolismo , Doença de Hodgkin/virologia , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Proteínas de Neoplasias/biossíntese , Proteínas de Neoplasias/genéticaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: RUNX1 mutation plays an important role in adult leukemic transformation. However, its contribution to the development of childhood leukemia remains unclear. In the present study, we analyzed point mutations of RUNX1 gene in children and adolescents with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) from Iraq and Jordan. PROCEDURE: Bone marrow and/or peripheral blood samples were collected from 178 patients of Arab Asian ethnicity (aged ≤17 years) newly diagnosed with AML: 145 samples from Iraq and 33 samples from Jordan. Direct DNA sequencing was performed on six genes including RUNX1 gene (exons 3-8). RESULTS: RUNX1 point mutations were identified in 10 (5.6%) of 178 patients. One patient possessed biallelic mutations of RUNX1 gene. C-terminal area was the predominant site of RUNX1 mutations (eight in C-terminal and two in N-terminal). Patients with RUNX1 mutations were significantly older than those with wild-type of the gene. Additionally, AML M0 subtype was more frequently found in patients with RUNX1 mutations. Both RUNX1 mutations and RAS mutations were identified in 4 of 10 children. Three patients with RUNX1 mutation had FLT3-ITD. On the other hand, 36 (21.4%) and 25 (14.9%) of 168 patients with wild-type of the gene had a RAS mutation and FLT3-ITD, respectively. Eight of 10 patients with RUNX1 mutations died of hematological relapse. CONCLUSION: The incidence of RUNX1 mutations in Arab Asian children and adolescents with AML was 5.6%. Further studies are required to clarify whether RAS mutations contribute to the development of pediatric AML associated with RUNX1 mutations.
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Subunidade alfa 2 de Fator de Ligação ao Core/genética , Genes ras , Leucemia Mieloide Aguda/genética , Mutação , Adolescente , Árabes , Povo Asiático/genética , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Leucemia Mieloide Aguda/etnologia , Masculino , Mutação PuntualRESUMO
Background: Childhood Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is an eminently curable disease. Good outcomes can be achieved even in resource-limited settings, and the focus is increasingly on limiting long-term toxicity. Contemporary treatment incorporates a risk-stratified, response-adapted approach using multiagent chemotherapy with/without low-dose radiotherapy. Many developing countries continue to use ABVD-based regimens due to limited acute toxicity, cost, and ease of delivery. Objective: We herein report the outcomes of childhood HL diagnosed and treated in an Iraqi single centre over 16 years. Methods: Children ≤14 years old with biopsy-proven HL were enrolled. Most patients received ABVD chemotherapy or COPP/ABV when Dacarbazine was unavailable. Radiotherapy was not available. Results: Three hundred-three children were consecutively newly diagnosed with HL; 284 were considered eligible for the retrospective analysis (treatment refusals 9; deaths before therapy 5; initially diagnosed of non-Hodgkin lymphoma 5). ABVD scheme was administered to 184 children (65%), COPP/ABV to 83 (29%), and other schemes to the remaining 17 patients. Complete response (CR) was achieved in 277 (98%); 4 (1.4%) showed disease progression, and 1 had stable disease. Four patients in CR abandoned therapy and were in CR at the time of analysis, 2 died from infection. Relapse occurred in 42 patients (15%). The 15-year OS and EFS are 89.7% and 70.3%, respectively. Conclusion: In this single Centre, over 16 years, almost 90% of children suffering from HL survive, despite the numerous limitations in diagnostic procedures, shortage of chemotherapy, no radiotherapy facilities, absence of effective second-line treatments, and finally, therapy abandonment for social and financial reasons.
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BACKGROUND: Iraq's health care system has gradually declined after several decades of wars, terrorism, and UN economic sanctions. The Oncology Unit at Children's Welfare Teaching Hospital (CWTH) in Baghdad was lacking basic facilities and support. To address this shortcoming, a humanitarian and educational partnership was established between CWTH and Sapienza University of Rome (SUR). METHODS: We investigated the outcomes of 80 online and 16 onsite educational sessions and 142 teleconsultation sessions from 2006 to 2014. We also determined the outcomes of pathology reviews by SUR of 1216 tissue specimens submitted by CWTH from 2007 until 2019 for second opinions. The primary outcomes were discordance, concordance, and changes among clinical diagnoses and pathology review findings. The measures included the frequency of teleconsultation and tele-education sessions, the topics discussed in these sessions, and the number of pathology samples requiring second opinions. FINDINGS: A total of 500 cases were discussed via teleconsultations during the study period. The median patient age was 7 years (range, 24 days to 16·4 years), and the cases comprised 79 benign tumors, 299 leukemias, 120 lymphomas, and 97 solid tumors. The teleconsultation sessions yielded 27 diagnostic changes, 123 confirmed diagnoses, and 13 equivocal impacts. The pathology reviews by SUR were concordant for 996 (81·9%) cases, discordant for 186 (15·3%), and inconclusive for 34 (2·8%). The major cause of discordance was inadequate immunohistochemical staining. The percentage of discordance markedly decreased over time (from 40% to 10%). The cause of the improvement is multifactorial: training of two CWTH pathologists at SUR, better immunohistochemical staining, and the ongoing clinical and pathologic telemedicine activities. The partnership yielded 12 publications, six posters, and three oral presentations by CWTH investigators. INTERPRETATION: The exchange of knowledge and expertise across continental boundaries meaningfully improved the diagnoses and management of pediatric cancer at CWTH.
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Neoplasias , Telemedicina , Criança , Humanos , Recém-Nascido , Iraque , Neoplasias/diagnóstico , Neoplasias/epidemiologia , Neoplasias/terapia , Atenção à Saúde , OncologiaRESUMO
Background: Molecular analyses in hematological malignancies provide insights about genetic makeup. Probable etiological factors in leukemogenesis could also be disclosed. Since genetic analyses are still primitive in Iraq, a country of repeated wars, we conceived of performing next-generation sequencing (NGS), to disclose the genomic landscape of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) among a cohort of Iraqi children. Methods: Dried blood samples were collected from Iraqi children with ALL (n=55), or AML (n=11), and transferred to Japan where NGS was done. Whole-exome, whole-genome, and targeted gene sequencings were performed. Results: Somatic point mutations and the copy number variations among Iraqi children with acute leukemia were comparable with those in other countries, and cytosine-to-thymine nucleotide alterations were dominant. Strikingly, TCF3-PBX1 was the most recurrent fusion gene (22.4%) in B-cell precursor ALL (B-ALL), and acute promyelocytic leukemia (AML-M3) was subtyped in 5 AML cases. Additionally, a high frequency of RAS signaling pathway mutations was detected in children with B-ALL (38.8%), along with 3 AML cases that carried oncogenic RAS. Conclusions: Apart from disclosing the high frequency of TCF3-PBX1, NGS confirmed our previous finding of recurrent RAS mutations in Iraqi childhood acute leukemia. Our results suggest that the biology of Iraqi childhood acute leukemia is in part characteristic, where the war-aftermath environment or geography might play a role.
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BACKGROUND: Genetic examination of childhood leukemia has not been available in Iraq. We here report the frequency of TEL-AML1, E2A-PBX1, MLL-AF4, and BCR-ABL chimeric transcripts in 264 Iraqi children newly diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), using FTA cards impregnated with bone marrow aspirate or whole blood. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The diagnosis of ALL was made according to standard French-American-British morphologic criteria. Based on the results of storage temperature and duration, most of the FTA samples were preserved at 4°C for up to 6 weeks in five Iraqi hospitals and then transferred to Japan for molecular analysis. Nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was adopted for the analysis. RESULTS: TEL-AML1 chimeric transcript product was found in 32 (12.1%) of 264 ALL patients. Eleven (4.2%) patients, 4 (1.5%) patients, and 11 (4.2%) patients had E2A-PBX1 mRNA, MLL-AF4 mRNA, and BCR-ABL mRNA, respectively. One patient had both TEL-AML1 and E2A-PBX1 fusion genes. The incidence of TEL-AML1 in Iraqi ALL children appears to be similar to or slightly higher than those of Jordan (12%) and Kuwait (7%). The prevalence and clinical findings of ALL patients with either E2A-PBX1 or BCR-ABL were comparable to the data reported elsewhere. CONCLUSION: International collaboration via FTA cards may be helpful to improve diagnosis and management of patients with hematological malignancies in low-income and underdeveloped countries.
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Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras/genética , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Subunidade alfa 2 de Fator de Ligação ao Core/análise , Feminino , Proteínas de Fusão bcr-abl/análise , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/análise , Humanos , Lactente , Iraque , Masculino , Proteína de Leucina Linfoide-Mieloide/análise , Proteínas de Fusão Oncogênica/análise , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras/diagnóstico , RNA Mensageiro , Translocação GenéticaRESUMO
In Iraq; the community has suffered considerably in the past 40 years that makes any attempt of repair very difficult. Our hospital operates below the standard on all levels, the pediatric oncology unit, which has a capacity of 30 single beds, is occupied by double or triples. In 2010; new patients with cancer reached 366. Drug shortages, limitation of diagnostic facilities, lack of infection control and pain management have major impact on the management of children with cancer. Telemedicine program has an impact to improve the service; we have just ourselves and feelings of responsibility to keep motivation and looking forward for any help to continue.
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Proteção da Criança , Oncologia , Pediatria , Criança , Hospitais de Ensino , Humanos , IraqueRESUMO
Modern treatments have dramatically improved the prognosis of childhood acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). This progress has not yielded equivalent benefit in developing countries, where biological studies and supportive cares are insufficient and often unavailable. Since 2003, an all-trans retinoic (ATRA)-based, risk-adapted protocol was initiated in Baghdad. Patients were defined: high-risk with WBC ≥10 × 109/L and standard-risk with WBC <10 × 109/L. ATRA was included in induction and maintenance and, from 2010, in consolidation. Of 429 pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (September 2003-August 2019), 118 (27.5%) were APL. Six children died before therapy, 4 refused; 94/108 (87%) achieved a remission; 12 (11%) died early and 2 abandoned. The 5-year overall survival and event-free survival are 61.8% and 55.5% for all patients, 51.7% and 43.6% for first protocol, 68.4% and 63.9% for second one. Baseline WBC count was a risk factor for induction mortality; early hemorrhagic death remains a major cause of failure. ATRA extended consolidation improved results.
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Leucemia Promielocítica Aguda , Criança , Humanos , Leucemia Promielocítica Aguda/diagnóstico , Leucemia Promielocítica Aguda/tratamento farmacológico , Tretinoína/efeitos adversos , Iraque/epidemiologia , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/efeitos adversos , Encaminhamento e ConsultaRESUMO
Background: Cancer incidence in the world is predicted to increase in the next decade. While progress has been in diagnosis and treatment, much still remains to be done to improve cancer pain therapy, mainly in underserved communities in low-income countries. Objective: To determine knowledge, beliefs, and barriers regarding pain management in both high- and low-income countries (according to the WHO classification); and to learn about ways to improve the current state of affairs. Design: Descriptive survey. Setting/Subjects: Fifty-six countries worldwide; convenience sample of 1639 consisted of 36.8% physicians; 45.1% nurses, and 4.5% pharmacists employed in varied settings. Results: Improved pain management services are key elements. Top barriers include religion factors, lack of appropriate education and training at all levels, nonadherence to guidelines, patients' reluctance to report on pains, over regulation associated with prescribing and access to opioid analgesics, fear of addiction to opioids, and lack of discussions around prognosis and treatment planning. Conclusion: The majority of patients with cancer in low-income countries are undertreated for their pain. Promoting cancer pain accredited program of training and education on pain management for physicians and nurses is crucial, as well as advocating policymakers and the public at large.
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Dor do Câncer , Neoplasias , Analgésicos Opioides/uso terapêutico , Dor do Câncer/terapia , Humanos , Neoplasias/complicações , Neoplasias/terapia , Dor/etiologia , Manejo da Dor , Padrões de Prática MédicaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: An adapted LMB 96 derived protocol for B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) was implemented at the pediatric oncology unit of the Children Welfare Teaching Hospital in Baghdad (Iraq) from 2000 to present. The purpose was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of this intensive therapeutic regimen in a limited resource country. METHODS: Patients <15 years of age with high grade B-cell NHL were included. A modified LMB 96 regimen was employed with a reduction of cyclophosphamide and methotrexate dosages due to inadequate laboratory facilities and supportive care. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2005, 261 children with non-lymphoblastic NHL were registered; 239 were eligible for the analysis. Two patients had stage I disease, 20 stage II, 179 stage III, and 38 stage IV. Fifty-two patients (22%) had bulky disease. Twelve children were assigned to therapeutic group A (low risk), 184 to group B (intermediate risk), and 43 to group C (high risk). One hundred and eighty-four patients (77%) had a complete response after the COP pre-phase. Sixty-nine patients (29%) died during treatment. Twenty-nine patients abandoned treatment. At 24 months, the overall survival rate of the entire patient population was 66% (CI 95%: 62.2-70.6) and the event-free survival rate 53.3% (CI 95%: 50.0-56.8). CONCLUSIONS: The treatment schedule proved effective, but the treatment-related mortality due to infections and metabolic complications was very high owing to the limited supportive care available. The high rate of treatment abandonment was also an important cause of failure, especially for children living far away from the hospital.
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Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/uso terapêutico , Países em Desenvolvimento , Linfoma de Células B/tratamento farmacológico , Adolescente , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/administração & dosagem , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/efeitos adversos , Asparaginase/administração & dosagem , Asparaginase/efeitos adversos , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Ciclofosfamida/administração & dosagem , Ciclofosfamida/efeitos adversos , Citarabina/administração & dosagem , Citarabina/efeitos adversos , Intervalo Livre de Doença , Doxorrubicina/administração & dosagem , Doxorrubicina/efeitos adversos , Feminino , Ácido Fólico/administração & dosagem , Ácido Fólico/efeitos adversos , Humanos , Hidrocortisona/administração & dosagem , Hidrocortisona/efeitos adversos , Iraque , Linfoma de Células B/mortalidade , Masculino , Metotrexato/administração & dosagem , Metotrexato/efeitos adversos , Prednisona/administração & dosagem , Prednisona/efeitos adversos , Taxa de Sobrevida , Vincristina/administração & dosagem , Vincristina/efeitos adversosRESUMO
This brief report displays comprehensive details of health services provided by Children's Welfare Teaching Hospital, medical city, Baghdad. In 2010; 366 children with newly diagnosed cancer were admitted for treatment, two thirds were leukemia and lymphoma cases followed by other solid tumors except brain tumors. With this large number of patients; there are shortcomings in provision of health services in many aspects including professional manpower, infrastructure, diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, supportive and palliative care. The previous wars and sanction and the current instability of the country added to the socioeconomic difficulties of the families jeopardizing the appropriate therapy and ultimately the poor treatment outcome. Since 2003 an international collaboration had a major contribution in many aspects like provision of drugs and medical supplies, attendance of scientific workshops, and updating doctor's knowledge and experience through telemedicine programs which resulted in decreasing the induction mortality in acute lymphoblastic leukemia from 24% in the year 2007% to 10% in 2010 after introduction of pre-phase steroids and in acute promyelocytic leukemia from 95% to 5% after introduction of all trans-retinoic acid. A collaborative work with Rome University resulted in changing diagnosis of 20% of pathological samples sent there for reevaluation. Iraqi pediatric oncologists still need real attempts to improve infrastructure and human resources in addition to twinning programs with internationally recognized cancer centers to face these management challenges.