Survey on Childhood Solid Malignant Tumors in Cases Admitted to Mofid Pediatric Hospital From 1996-2010: a Single-Center Study

Background: As children comprise a considerable proportion of our population, the importance of local epidemiologic research and geographic and racial differences can’t be disputed on childhood malignancies.

Methods: In this descriptive retrospective study, we extensively reviewed the medical records of patients younger than 15 years of age, diagnosed with solid malignant tumors, from 1996 to 2010, using the last version of International Classification of Childhood Cancers.

Results: In our study the order of incidence of solid malignancies was relatively similar to the other national studies, with lymphomas and Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors as the most common, followed by Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) tumors, soft tissue sarcomas and renal tumors. The peak age of diagnosis was between 1 and 4 years old. In our study, the overall male to female ratio was 1.38, with a trend towards male dominance in the older age groups. We also observed a disturbing trend of childhood solid malignancies. The total number of cases almost doubled from 2009(54(6.9%)) to 2010(96(12.2%)) .This trend was particularly detected in CNS and SNS tumors. Further analysis showed that malignant CNS tumors had played a more pronounced role in this change.

Conclusion: Changes in trends of some tumor categories have illustrated a desperate need to further research in regional and national levels. Also the gathered data can be used to make more accurate programs for a better control of cancer and to help policymakers to allocate more evidence-based resource for hospitals.