{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) Global Mapping Program: Analysis of healthcare centers in countries of the Latin American Society of Pediatric Oncology (SLAOP).
{Author}: Gorostegui-Obanos M;Chantada L;Filho NPC;Gonzalez-Ramella O;Serrano B MJ;Valencia D;Sampor C;Macedo C;Ramirez O;Sardinas S;Lezcano E;Calderón P;Gamboa Y;Fu L;Gómez W;Schelotto M;Ugaz C;Lobos P;Moreno K;Palma J;Sánchez G;Moschella F;Gassant PYH;Velasquez T;Quintero K;Forteza M;Villarroel M;Moreno F;Alabi SF;Vasquez L;Lowe J;Cappellano A;Challinor J;Chantada GL;
{Journal}: Pediatr Blood Cancer
{Volume}: 0
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Aug 12
{Factor}: 3.838
{DOI}: 10.1002/pbc.31262
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>The International Society of Paediatric Oncology Society Global Mapping Program aims to describe the local pediatric oncology capacities. Here, we report the data from Latin America.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A 10-question survey was distributed among chairs of pediatric oncology services. Centers were classified according to patient volume into high- (HVC; 100 or more new cases per year), medium- (MVC; 31-99 cases), and low-volume centers (LVC; 30 cases or less), respectively. National referral centers (NRC) were identified.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Total 307 centers in 20 countries were identified (271 responded), and 264 responses were evaluable, accounting for 78% of the expected cases (21,359 cases per year). Seventy-seven percent of patients are treated in public centers, including additional support by civil society organizations. We found that 66% of the patients are treated in 70 centers of excellence, including 21 NRC. There was a median of one pediatric oncologist every 21 newly diagnosed patients (44 for NRC), and in 84% of the centers, nurses rotated to other services. A palliative care team was lacking in 25% of the centers. LVC with public funding have significantly lower probability of having a palliative care team or trained pediatric oncology surgeons. Psychosocial, pharmacy, and nutrition services were available in more than 93% of the centers. No radiotherapy facility was available on campus in nine of 21 NRC.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Most children with cancer in Latin America are treated in public HVC. There is a scarcity of pediatric oncologists, specialized nurses and surgeons, and palliative care teams, especially in centers with public funding.