Paediatric oncology in the developing world

Abstract

Paediatric oncologists in low and middle income countries face many challenges including lack of infrastructure or funds (for treatment or social assistance), competing health priorities and the absence of multidisciplinary teams. Thus practitioners are forced to redefine some of the traditional goals that colleagues in high income settings take for granted, and tailor treatment according to available resources and infrastructure. There are a growing number of success stories and key factors are LMIC leadership with HIC support, building sustainable programmes based on regimens that are feasible and affordable and multidisciplinarity both within and across institutions.