Pediatric oncology in the Arab World

Abstract

It is estimated that more than 18,000 children are diagnosed annually with cancer in the Arab countries. With great variations in the level of income and health infrastructure among different countries, services provided to children with cancer are not always optimal. Many Arab countries were affected by political and economic instability, which was worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The outcome of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia estimated as 5-year net survival ranges from <20% (Somalia) to more than 80% (Arab Gulf Countries, Jordan). The strategies to improve the outcomes of childhood cancer include decreasing diagnosis delays, treatment abandonment and essential drugs shortages. The evidence-based and cost-effective regimens should be utilized, and multidisciplinary services need to be established. Twinning can help units in less favorable conditions. The cancer registries linked to survival data are essential to help physicians and policymakers appreciate the impact of different interventions. There is a great chance for partnership, twinning, and collaborative research among institutions in the Arab World.