Cancer Care for Kids Improves Greatly

Childhood cancer care has undergone significant transformations over the years, with advancements in treatment leading to improved survival rates. In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Doured Daghistani, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist, shared his insights on the progress made in treating childhood cancer and what families should know after a diagnosis.

According to Dr. Daghistani, children with cancer are highly curable, with 8 to 9 out of 10 children diagnosed with cancer becoming long-term survivors. He emphasized the importance of looking at the situation as “half-full” rather than “half-empty,” focusing on the positive outcomes of treatment.

Advances in Treatment

The treatment of childhood cancer has changed dramatically during Dr. Daghistani’s career, allowing for the current high survival rate. He recalled that in the early 1980s, the chance of curing a child with acute leukemia was around 60% to 70%. In contrast, today the survival rate for this type of cancer is above 95%.

Dr. Daghistani attributed this improvement to advancements in chemotherapy and the development of new treatments. He noted that the most common cancer in pediatric oncology is acute leukemia, with around 5,000 to 6,000 children diagnosed with it each year in the United States.

Long-term Side Effects

As more children survive cancer, doctors are learning about the long-term side effects of treatment. Dr. Daghistani explained that in the past, the focus was on curing the children, with little consideration for the potential long-term effects of chemotherapy. However, it is now known that many survivors experience anxiety, heart problems, and other issues as they grow older.

To address this, doctors are working to fine-tune the amount of chemotherapy used, aiming to minimize the harm caused to patients while still effectively treating their cancer. Dr. Daghistani emphasized the importance of survivorship in pediatric oncology, as the field is seeing the long-term effects of treatments on patients who are now adults.

Future of Pediatric Cancer Treatment

Immunotherapy and precision medicine are expected to play a significant role in the future of pediatric cancer treatment. Dr. Daghistani noted that immunotherapy has fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy and has already shown promise in improving survival rates for certain types of cancer.

He highlighted the example of a drug that was introduced between 2010 and 2015, which has become a backbone of treatment for newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The use of immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and CAR-T cell therapy is expected to improve survival rates for children with cancer, particularly for those with more aggressive forms of the disease.

Dr. Daghistani also emphasized the need for support for children and their families throughout their journey. He explained that pediatric oncology is different from adult oncology, as it affects not only the patient but also their entire family. At Baptist Health Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute, a pediatric oncology support team is in place to provide care and support.

This team includes nurses, child life specialists, social workers, nurse navigators, and palliative care specialists, all of whom play a vital role in the patient’s care. Dr. Daghistani encouraged families to get involved in supporting research and cancer institutes, as this is essential for continued progress in treating childhood cancer.

Despite the advancements made, there is still much work to be done. Dr. Daghistani noted that 1 to 2 out of every 10 children with cancer still do not survive, and improving the quality of life for long-term survivors remains a priority. By continuing to support research and education, it is possible to make further progress in the fight against childhood cancer.

Dr. Daghistani’s work and the work of other pediatric hematologist-oncologists are key in the fight against childhood cancer.

They are making a difference in the lives of children with cancer and their families.

It is essential to continue supporting research and education to improve the treatment and care of children with cancer.

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