Capacity building for pediatric neuro-oncology in Pakistan- a project by my child matters program of Foundation S.

Introduction: Initiated in June 2019, this collaborative effort involved 15 public and private sector hospitals in Pakistan. The primary objective was to enhance the capacity for pediatric neuro-oncology (PNO) care, supported by a My Child Matters/Foundation S grant.

Methods: We aimed to establish and operate Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards (MTBs) on a national scale, covering 76% of the population (185.

Prognostic impact of pre-referral tumor resection in unilateral Wilms tumor: A single-institute experience from a lower middle-income country.

Introduction: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prognostic impact of pre-referral surgical resection of Wilms tumor (WT) performed at non-oncology centers, and to strategize an improved care plan for this very curable pediatric tumor.

Methods: In this study conducted in a large pediatric cancer center in Pakistan, we retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records (EMR) of 149 patients with unilateral WT from September 2008 to August 2017. Based on treatment approach, patients were categorized into two groups: (i) pre-referral tumor resection (PTR: n = 75), and (ii) post-neoadjuvant chemo nephrectomy (PCN: n = 74).

Ga-DOTATATE PET in Restaging and Response to Therapy in Neuroblastoma: A Case Series and a Mini Review.

Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT is widely used for the evaluation of neuroendocrine tumors. Some reports exist on its use in the management of neuroblastoma. Building on the prior reports as well as our previous experience in using this technique for initial staging, we propose to describe its practical benefits in restaging and response to therapy.

Challenges in the Management of Wilms Tumor in a Developing Country: A Twenty Years' Experience From a Single Center in Pakistan.

Background: Wilms Tumor (WT) is one of the most curable childhood cancers. High cure rates seen in the developed countries are not reproduced in developing countries. Lack of access to cancer treatment facilities, financial constraints, late presentation, and abandonment have previously been described.

Building the ecosystem for pediatric neuro-oncology care in Pakistan: Results of a 7-year long twinning program between Canada and Pakistan.

Background: Low- and middle-income countries sustain the majority of pediatric cancer burden, with significantly poorer survival rates compared to high-income countries. Collaboration between institutions in low- and middle-income countries and high-income countries is one of the ways to improve cancer outcomes.

Methods: Patient characteristics and effects of a pediatric neuro-oncology twinning program between the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada and several hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan over 7 years are described in this article.

Amino Acid PET Imaging with F-DOPA in the evaluation of Pediatric Brain Tumors.

Although MRI is the workhorse of brain tumor initial evaluation and follow-up, there is a growing amount of data recommending the incorporation of amino-acid PET imaging at different stages of the management of these patients. Recent nuclear medicine and neuro-oncology clinical practice recommendations support the use of amino-acid imaging in brain tumor imaging. Considering F-DOPA is FDA approved for the evaluation of parkinsonian syndromes, it could be used clinically for other valuable clinical indications such as brain tumor evaluations.

Outcome of first relapse of Hodgkin lymphoma: single institution experience.

Objective: To determine outcome of first relapse of Hodgkin lymphoma with standard dose chemotherapy, and to identify the prognostic factors predicting survival outcome in paediatric patients.

Methods: The retrospective study was conducted at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised data of Hodgkin lymphoma patients who relapsed at least 3 months after the completion of initial treatment from January 2001 to December 2010. Probabilities of overall survival, event-free survival and cumulative incidence were calculated.

Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT for Neuroblastoma Staging: Utility for Clinical Use.

Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) imaging has been the standard for neuroblastoma staging for many decades. Novel agents such as F-DOPA and Ga-DOTATATE are being used nowadays in academic centers. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, procurement of I-MIBG has proved particularly challenging, necessitating the use of Ga-DOTATATE PET.

Critically Ill Pediatric Oncology Patients: What the Intensivist Needs to Know? Pediatric Critical Care Medicine.

Cancer is an evolving cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. In recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the survival of children with cancer, after applying new methods and treatment protocols in practice. However, the complexity of the disease itself, as well as the intensity and toxicity of treatment is such that many children require admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) which should be well equipped and led by personnel who have adequate training and expertise to provide optimum care to these complex patients.

Clinical characteristics and outcome analysis of pediatric B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Experience with FAB-LMB 96 and UKCCSG B-cell NHL guidelines in a developing country.

Aim: To analyze the clinical characteristics of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients and the therapeutic efficacy of French-American-British Lymphoma Malins de Burkitt 96 and the recent United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group B-cell NHL guidelines in the tertiary care hospital of a developing country.

Methods: Patients aged < or =18 years registered at our hospital between January 1995 and December 2006 with histologically proved B-Cell NHL were selected for retrospective analysis.

Results: Of the total of 131 patients registered, 122 patients were eligible for evaluation.