Peer-reviewed article

SWK-07. A MULTINATIONAL SURVEY OF PAEDIATRIC NEURO-ONCOLOGY SERVICES: A EUROPEAN RESEARCH NETWORK (ERN) PAEDCAN PROJECT

Cooper K, Pizer B, Lane S, Rutkowski S · 1 Dec 2020

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND Brain tumours are clinically and biologically highly diverse and account for 25% of paediatric neoplasms. They carry the highest mortality and morbidity of tumour groups. Their management presents significant challenges with performing modern diagnostic assessments, applying multimodal treatment and establishing interdisciplinary cooperation. Outcomes across Europe differ significantly with varying 5year survival reports of 42–79%. This SIOP-Europe PaedCan survey assessed the structures and facilities for individual states and highlight areas for cooperation and support. DESIGN: An online questionnaire was sent to SIOP-Europe Brain Tumour Group members. This had 55 questions assessing pathology, staging, surgery, radiotherapy and paediatric oncology infrastructure. For analysis of the data we divided countries into lower and higher economic status according to GDP (World Bank 2019) with a cut off of $30,100. RESULTS There were 388 respondents from 44 countries in 181 different institutions. In the lower GDP group we noted decreased access to biological characterisation of tumours and interdisciplinary tumour boards. In this group of nations, patients were less likely to have treatment by a paediatric specialist neurosurgeon, paediatric neuro-oncologist, neuroradiologist, and paediatric radiation oncologist. There was also less availability to perform early MRI (ventilated) and less access to proton beam therapy. This study supports the aim of the ERN to produce a roadmap document with specific standards and publish guidelines for all relevant diagnostic and therapeutic components of care. The ERN also aims to identify a network of institutions to provide patient advice and training to equalise treatment and outcomes for all children across Europe.