Early Diagnosis of Childhood Cancer (2015)

Overview

 In many countries, cancer is the second leading cause of death in children over 1 year of age. Annual incidence of all malignant tumors is 12.45 per 100,000 children under 15 years. Fortunately, great progress has been made in the treatment of childhood cancer in recent years, leading to the development of new standardized clinical protocols that make it possible to resolve uncertainties and select the most appropriate guidelines for each neoplasm and, more importantly, for each patient's specific situation.

Because delay in referral of a patient with cancer and late initiation or suspension of treatment can mean the difference between life and death, this manual aims to help primary care personnel easily identify children with cancer and enable timely referral for treatment. It provides tools and information on the specific signs and symptoms associated with the main cancer types occurring in children, and reinforces that need for prompt referrals to prevent late diagnoses when cancer is suspected in a child.

This manual builds on the methodology established by the PAHO/WHO program Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI). It is intended for use as part of the compendium of IMCI resources for primary care providers, and includes comprehensive information on the main risks factors for childhood cancer and the most frequent cancers in children. It teaches how to assess the possibility of cancer and gives the health care team tools and information on how to manage children with possible cancer or signs that require immediate medical attention. The manual provides information for follow-up and post-treatment medical attention at the primary care level for children diagnosed with cancer.

Diagnosing cancer at early stages can make a big difference in outcomes, and this manual can contribute to improving the knowledge of primary health providers for early detection of childhood cancer.