PEDIATRIC CANCER IN THE UNITED-STATES - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT OF A COLLABORATIVE STUDY OF THE CHILDRENS CANCER GROUP AND THE PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY GROUP

Background. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in children yo unger than 15 years. Although 5-year survival rates have increased dra matically for many childhood tumors, more than 100,000 person-years of life are lost to childhood cancer each year. The exact proportion of pediatric patients with cancer who receive care at centers that use up -to-date therapeutic protocols (such as those affiliated with the Chil drens Cancer Group (CCG) or the Pediatric Oncology Group (POG) is unkn own. Methods. Based on residence at the time of diagnosis, observed nu mbers of pediatric cancer cases seen by member institutions of the CCG and the POG in 1989 and 1990 were compared with the expected number o f cases. Expected values were calculated from incidence rates obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program and popu lation counts obtained from the US Census Bureau. Results. Results ind icate that more than 90% of children younger than 15 years who have a diagnosis of malignant neoplasm are seen al an institution that is a m ember of either CCG or POG. The highest proportion seen occurs in the youngest (0-4 years) age group, and the proportion declines steadily w ith increasing age. Conclusions. There are specific regions within the United States where the observed number of cases was substantially le ss than the expected number, including areas of Texas. Idaho, and Virg inia. Although the exact reasons for these potential deficits are unkn own, additional study of these areas is recommended.