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Paediatric Neuro-Oncology

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Pediatric Hematology-Oncology in Countries with Limited Resources

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Abstract

Paediatric central nervous system tumours are a leading cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity in high-income countries. Limited data are available concerning the incidence of these tumours in low-income countries, due to lack of proper cancer registries and shortage of publications. The management of childhood brain tumours face several challenges in countries with limited resources. Delayed presentation, insufficient number of specialists (paediatric neurosurgeons, paediatric oncologists and radiation oncologists), shortage of radiological diagnostic tools like MRI, of neurosurgical equipment or radiation machines are significant obstacles. In addition, abandonment of treatment and loss of follow-up are common, mostly for social or economic reasons. Paediatric neuro-oncology is relatively a new subspecialty and requires close multidisciplinary team work. This concept is not emphasized in many develo** countries. Some of these difficulties can be managed by enriching the resources through international collaborations; others may need shared experience with more advanced countries through twinning programs. Successful experiences have been conducted in the recent years that demonstrate the possibility to improve the care of children with brain tumours in countries with limited resources.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. King Hussein Cancer Center, 202 Queen Rania Al Abdullah Street, 1269, Al-Jubeiha, Amman, 11941, Jordan

    Nisreen Amayiri M.D.

  2. Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5G 1X8

    Eric Bouffet M.D.

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  1. Nisreen Amayiri M.D.
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  2. Eric Bouffet M.D.
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Correspondence to Eric Bouffet M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg Hospital, Tygerberg, South Africa

    Daniela Cristina Stefan

  2. Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo

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Amayiri, N., Bouffet, E. (2014). Paediatric Neuro-Oncology. In: Stefan, D., Rodriguez-Galindo, C. (eds) Pediatric Hematology-Oncology in Countries with Limited Resources. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3891-5_25

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3891-5_25

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