Journal article
Collaborative Pediatric Bone Tumor Program to Improve Access to Specialized Care: An Initiative by the Lebanese Children's Oncology Group
Journal of global oncology, Vol.3(1), pp.23-30
02/01/2017
DOI: 10.1200/JGO.2016.003103
PMCID: PMC5493233
PMID: 28717738
Abstract
Background Children with malignant bone tumors have average 5-year survival rates of 60% to 70% with current multimodality therapy. Local control modalities aimed at preserving function greatly influence the quality of life of long-term survivors. In developing countries, the limited availability of multidisciplinary care and limited expertise in specialized surgery and pediatric radiation therapy, as well as financial cost, all form barriers to achieving optimal outcomes in this population.
Methods We describe the establishment of a collaborative pediatric bone tumor program among a group of pediatric oncologists in Lebanon and Syria. This program provides access to specialized local control at a tertiary children's cancer center to pediatric patients with newly diagnosed bone tumors at participating sites. Central review of pathology, staging, and treatment planning is performed in a multidisciplinary tumor board setting. Patients receive chemotherapy at their respective centers on a unified treatment plan. Surgery and/or radiation therapy are performed centrally by specialized staff at the children's cancer center. Cost barriers were resolved through a program development initiative led by St Jude Children's Research Hospital. Once program feasibility was achieved, the Children's Cancer Center of Lebanon Foundation, via fundraising efforts, provided continuation of program-directed funding.
Results Findings over a 3-year period showed the feasibility of this project, with timely local control and protocol adherence at eight collaborating centers. We report success in providing standard-of-care multidisciplinary therapy to this patient population with complex needs and financially challenging surgical procedures.
Conclusion This initiative can serve as a model, noting that facilitating access to specialized multidisciplinary care, resolution of financial barriers, and close administrative coordination all greatly contributed to the success of the program. (C) 2016 by American Society of Clinical Oncology Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Collaborative Pediatric Bone Tumor Program to Improve Access to Specialized Care: An Initiative by the Lebanese Children's Oncology Group
- Creators
- Raya Saab - American University of Beirut Medical CenterZeina Merabi - American University of Beirut Medical CenterMiguel R. Abboud - American University of Beirut Medical CenterSamar Muwakkit - American University of Beirut Medical CenterPeter Noun - American University of Beirut Medical CenterGladys Gemayel - American University of Beirut Medical CenterElie Bechara - American University of Beirut Medical CenterHassan Khalifeh - American University of Beirut Medical CenterRoula Farah - American University of Beirut Medical CenterNabil Kabbara - American University of Beirut Medical CenterTarek El-Khoury - American University of Beirut Medical CenterRasha Al-Yousef - Childrens Hosp Damascus, Damascus, SyriaRachid Haidar - American University of Beirut Medical CenterSaid Saghieh - American University of Beirut Medical CenterToufic Eid - American University of Beirut Medical CenterSamir Akel - American University of Beirut Medical CenterNabil Khoury - Saint George HospitalLayal Bayram - American University of Beirut Medical CenterMatthew J. Krasin - American University of Beirut Medical CenterSima Jeha - American University of Beirut Medical CenterHassan El-Solh - Amer Univ Beirut, Med Ctr, Beirut, Lebanon
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of global oncology, Vol.3(1), pp.23-30
- Publisher
- Amer Soc Clinical Oncology
- DOI
- 10.1200/JGO.2016.003103
- PMID
- 28717738
- PMCID
- PMC5493233
- ISSN
- 2378-9506
- eISSN
- 2378-9506
- Number of pages
- 8
- Grant note
- Children's Cancer Center of Lebanon in Beirut, Lebanon American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities; American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC) International Outreach Program at St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/01/2017
- Academic Unit
- Radiology
- Record Identifier
- 9984697635902771
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