Childhood cancer survival in low- and middle-income countries and the Global South: emerging evidence and critical gaps from a scoping review of observational studies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Survival rates for childhood cancer reveal stark global disparities. While over 80 % of children survive in high-income countries (HICs), outcomes remain significantly lower in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the burden is also higher. This study synthesizes observational data on survival outcomes for the six WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) index cancers in LMICs, aiming to establish survival estimates, identify key determinants, and assess data limitations.

Methods

Following JBI and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted a scoping review searching MEDLINE, WHO Global Index Medicus, and EMBASE for observational studies published since 2013. Studies included children aged 0-19 diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Burkitt lymph

SUBMITTER: Santero M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12682699 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature