Study on Epidemiology of Childhood Cancer

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 December 2025 | Viewed by 6193

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Independent Researcher, Pistoia, Italy
Interests: cancer epidemiology and registration; healthcare systems; cancer treatment data; cancer data quality
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Guest Editor
Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region (FISABIO), Av. Catalunya, 21, 46020 Valencia, Spain
Interests: cancer epidemiology and registration; childhood cancer epidemiology; rare cancer epidemiology; cancer data quality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Although cancer is rare in children and despite improved survival rates, it remains a significant cause of childhood death. Obtaining knowledge on the childhood cancer burden (incidence, mortality, prevalence and survival) in the population, its time trends, and its geographical distribution is an important starting point for cancer control. Population-based cancer registries play an essential role in measuring the childhood cancer burden. Nevertheless, factors underlying the time trend and geographic variation in childhood cancers are largely unknown. This Special Issue attempts to highlight this relevant endpoint with the aim of increasing the awareness of childhood cancer epidemiology to support the cancer control programs. We hope to include articles from population-based cancer registries, including data on the stage and treatment, research groups investigating childhood cancer risk factors, inequalities, and late effects occurring in childhood cancer survivors, as well as articles from patient and family perspectives.

Dr. Francesco Giusti
Dr. Carmen Martos
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • childhood cancer
  • epidemiology
  • childhood cancer registries
  • incidence
  • prevalence
  • mortality
  • survival
  • time trends
  • special analysis
  • environmental factors
  • perinatal factors
  • inequalities

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Review

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22 pages, 5054 KiB  
Review
Analysis and Historical Evolution of Paediatric Bone Tumours: The Importance of Early Diagnosis in the Detection of Childhood Skeletal Malignancies
by Giulia Iacobellis, Alessia Leggio, Cecilia Salzillo, Stefano Lucà, Ricardo Ortega-Ruiz and Andrea Marzullo
Cancers 2025, 17(3), 451; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17030451 - 28 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1286
Abstract
Even though children’s malignant bone tumours are rare, it is crucial to understand how to identify and stage them accurately to develop an appropriate treatment plan. Ewing’s sarcoma and osteosarcoma are the two main paediatric bone malignancies and require multidisciplinary treatment involving radiologists, [...] Read more.
Even though children’s malignant bone tumours are rare, it is crucial to understand how to identify and stage them accurately to develop an appropriate treatment plan. Ewing’s sarcoma and osteosarcoma are the two main paediatric bone malignancies and require multidisciplinary treatment involving radiologists, orthopaedists, oncologists, pathologists, and paediatricians. These neoplasms may be associated with genetic syndromes but typically occur in patients with no known germline abnormalities. With a frequency of 4.4 per million, osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumour in children. Ewing’s sarcoma has an incidence of 2.5 to 3 per million, making it the second most prevalent. Clinically, these neoplasms present with pain and inflammation in the bones and joints, nocturnal pain unresponsive to drug therapy, systemic symptoms such as fever or weight loss, and persistent symptoms—all of which should prompt clinicians to initiate further diagnostic investigations. The gold standard for diagnosis includes X-ray examination and MRI, which provide an accurate assessment of tumour extension into the medullary canal and surrounding soft tissues. Fluorine-18-labelled FDG-PET scans or fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography are valuable for evaluating tumour aggressiveness and excluding metastases. A biopsy is mandatory once all other diagnostic tests have been completed. Accurate diagnosis and timely referral to an experienced clinic are essential for ensuring prompt access to treatment and improving patient outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study on Epidemiology of Childhood Cancer)
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Other

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20 pages, 573 KiB  
Systematic Review
Prenatal and Perinatal Factors Associated with Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia: A Scoping Review
by Arantza Sanvisens, Clara Bueno, Oriol Calvete, Francesc Solé, Rafael Marcos-Gragera and Marta Solans
Cancers 2025, 17(3), 370; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17030370 - 23 Jan 2025
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Abstract
Objective: Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most frequent childhood cancer. Infant ALL (<1 year) is rare, but it captures a lot of interest due to its poor prognosis, especially in patients harbouring KMT2A rearrangements, which have been demonstrated to arise prenatally. However, [...] Read more.
Objective: Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most frequent childhood cancer. Infant ALL (<1 year) is rare, but it captures a lot of interest due to its poor prognosis, especially in patients harbouring KMT2A rearrangements, which have been demonstrated to arise prenatally. However, epidemiological studies aimed at identifying specific risk factors in such cases are scarce, mainly due to sample-size limitations. We conducted a scoping review to elucidate the prenatal or perinatal factors associated with infant ALL. Methods: Original articles, letters, or conference abstracts published up to June 2022 were identified using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases, and 33 observational studies were selected. Results: The study reveals several well-established associations across the literature, such as maternal exposure to pesticides and high birth weight, and outlines suggestive associations, such as parental heavy smoking, parental use of several medications (e.g., dipyrone), and maternal exposure to air pollution during pregnancy. Conclusions: This scoping review summarizes the few observational studies that have analysed the prenatal and perinatal risk factors for ALL in infants diagnosed before the age of 1 year. The results of this review highlight the lack of research into this specific age group, which merits further research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study on Epidemiology of Childhood Cancer)
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22 pages, 763 KiB  
Systematic Review
Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy Long-Term Adverse Effects on Oral Health of Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Joana Pombo Lopes, Inês Rodrigues, Vanessa Machado, João Botelho and Luísa Bandeira Lopes
Cancers 2024, 16(1), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16010110 - 25 Dec 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2963
Abstract
The survival rate for pediatric cancer has increased over the past few decades, short- and long-term complications have been detected and studied, and oral complications have emerged as an important topic of research. Here, we aimed to highlight the importance of oral manifestations [...] Read more.
The survival rate for pediatric cancer has increased over the past few decades, short- and long-term complications have been detected and studied, and oral complications have emerged as an important topic of research. Here, we aimed to highlight the importance of oral manifestations that may only become apparent years or even decades after cancer treatment. This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. We searched articles using PubMed via the MEDLINE, Web of Science, and LILACS databases until October 2023. Overall, 35 observational studies were included, and the results estimated a pooled prevalence of the following dental anomalies: discoloration, 53%; crown-root malformations and agenesis, 36%; enamel hypoplasia, 32%; root development alterations, 29%; unerupted teeth, 24%; microdontia, 16%; hypodontia, 13%; and macrodontia, 7%. Most childhood cancer survivors have at least one dental sequela. Childhood cancer survivors presented a higher risk of having dental alterations than control counterparts. Additional analyses reveal possible sex-based differences that should be explored in future studies. These results collectively highlight the importance of oral healthcare and the prevention of disease in childhood cancer survivors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study on Epidemiology of Childhood Cancer)
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