Crocetti E, Ravaioli A, Bucchi L, Guzzinati S, Casella C, Puppo A, Toffolutti F, Zamagni F, Dal Maso L, Italian Cancer Registries WG
46th Annual Meeting of the Group for Cancer Epidemiology and Registration in Latin Language Countries (GRELL).
Pamplona, 18-20 may 2022
Abstract
Objective. The study of childhood cancer, including survival, has been a commitment of Italian population-based cancer registries since decades, and a couple of reports have been published. The present study updates the last available estimates with more recent data focusing on cancer survival.
Methods. Data from seventeen population-based cancer registries, representing 31% of the Italian resident population, were included. 1774 cases diagnosed in subjects 0-14 years between 2010 and 2014 with active follow-up up to the end of 2018 were analysed. Cases were classified according to ICCC-3. Observed survival at 5 years since diagnosis and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were computed.
Results. Overall, 5-year observed survival was 84.3% (82.5-86.0), similar between boys 84.3% (1010 cases, 82.5-86.0) and girls, 84.4% (764, 81.5-86.9). ICCC-3 group specific survival was: (group I) leukaemia 86.9%, (Ia) acute lymphatic leukaemia 88.4%, (Ib) acute myeloid leukaemia 79.3%, (IIa) non-Hodgkin lymphoma 92.4%, (IIb) Hodgkin lymphoma 99.1%, (III) CNS 72.4% (including non-malignant tumours), (VIII) bone 75.6%, (IX) soft tissue 80.2%, (VI) kidney (essentially nephroblastoma) 86.1% and liver 75.4%. All children with (XIb) thyroid (n.41) or (XId) skin melanoma (n.18) were alive after 5 years.
Conclusion. These new population-based data confirm that childhood cancer survival in Italy is relatively good and as high as in peers from USA. Therefore, results reassure on the quality, access, commitment to the territory of high-level childhood oncology services. The increasing childhood cancer survival boosts the number of adults with a childhood history of cancer. These citizens, even if cured from the cancer, need to be socially and economically supported and follow-up to achieve a high level ‘normal’ life.