The Epidemiological profile of childhood cancer at the Lubumbashi university clinic in the Democratic republic of Congo

Abstract

Background : Cancers in children under 17 years of age have specific epidemiological and management characteristics. The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiological profile of childhood cancers in Lubumbashi.

Method : A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the University Clinics of Lubumbashi from 2018-2019. Data collection was carried using a statistical form with a number of parameters.

Results: In this study, 99 of the 3024 cases of children who visited the pediatric ward during the study period were diagnosed with cancer, a prevalence rate of 3.27%. Only (71.7%) of the cases had consulted a general practitioner at the first sign of illness. Retinoblastoma being the first childhood cancer with 29.3%, followed by kidney tumors (23.2%), lymphomas (13.1%) and leukemias (12.1%) all combined forms. 87.9% had easy access to chemotherapy. Among these, (28.7 %) had chemotherapy and surgery with a curative aim. Childhood tumors show a remission in (20.7 %), 35.6 % of deaths and almost (27.6 %) remain under background treatment.

Conclusion : Diagnosis and early treatment continue to be crucial in reducing mortality among children suffering from cancers.