Pediatric cancer patients Aggregation at base hospitals October 18th 4:16 without fully progressing

The national government is concentrating patients at 15 base hospitals nationwide in order to obtain appropriate medical care and support for the most common childhood cancers that cause death of children. When research centers and other organizations investigated, depending on the type of cancer, it was clarified that treatment was performed even in hospitals with few results, and the concentration was not sufficiently advanced.

The National Center for Child Health and Development and the National Cancer Center analyzed whether approximately 800 hospitals nationwide were treated for childhood cancer in the last two years.

As a result, 291 hospitals treated patients with pediatric cancer, such as blood cancer and brain tumors, and approximately half of the 146 institutions treated fewer than three patients.

Among the patients who were treated at these facilities, 40% had brain tumors that were especially difficult to treat.

Childhood cancer has fewer patients than adult cancer, so it is said that treatment results will improve as the medical team accumulates experience at the base hospital and the experience gained from the medical team. Although it has been designated as a “base hospital,” this survey has revealed that patients are not sufficiently consolidated.

Koichi Matsumoto, director of the National Center for Child Health and Development, said, “Some institutions have at least specialized doctors, but some may not be able to provide consistent treatment. Patients with brain tumors Should be further consolidated, focusing on

Patient group "Introducing hospitals that can consistently follow up after treatment"

Regarding the results of this survey, Yuko Uegami from the “Children's Brain Tumor Society” said, “Even though a base hospital was established, patients were not introduced properly between hospitals, and the patient was not able to reach an appropriate hospital. “I want my family to see me right away in a highly specialized hospital.”

On the other hand, it is said that there is a need to improve the way information is provided to patients, as the background of the lack of consolidation is that patients and their families do not know where to receive appropriate medical care.

Mr. Magami said, “I want doctors to quickly introduce patients to hospitals that can consistently observe long-term follow-up after treatment. Also, I hope the country can provide easy-to-understand information to patients.” It is.