Optimizing outcomes for children with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in low- and middle-income countries by early correct diagnosis, reducing toxic death and preventing abandonment

Abstract

In high-income countries, more than 90% of children with mature B-cell lymphomas are cured with frontline therapy. However, cure requires prompt and correct diagnosis, careful risk stratification, very intense chemotherapy and meticulous supportive care, together with logistical support for patients who live far from the cancer centre or face financial barriers to receiving care. In low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), cure rates range from 20% to 70% because of lack of diagnosis, misdiagnosis, abandonment of treatment, toxic death and excess relapse with reduced-intensity regimens. Fortunately, a wide range of successful interventions in LMIC have reduced these causes of avoidable treatment failure. Public awareness campaigns have led to societal awareness of childhood cancer; telepathology has improved diagnosis, even in remote areas; subsidized chemotherapy, transportation, housing and food have reduced abandonment; and hand hygiene, nurse training programmes and health system improvements have reduced toxic death. These interventions can be deployed everywhere and at low cost, so are highly scalable. Children and adolescents with Burkitt lymphoma can be cured in all countries by making a timely correct diagnosis, applying protocols adapted to the local context, preventing abandonment of therapy and avoiding toxic death. Reducing these causes of treatment failure is feasible and highly cost-effective everywhere.