Route of Children with Cancer to the Hematology-Oncology Unit of the Mother and Child Center of the Chantal Biya Foundation

Abstract

Purpose: Children with cancer arrive at treatment centers at advanced stages of the disease, with a survival rate of less than 30%. This study analyzes the path of children with cancer to the Hematology-Oncology Department of the Mother and Child Center of the Chantal Biya Foundation in Yaounde. Materials and methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study from November 2015 to July 2016 including all children aged 0 to 18 years with a confirmed diagnosis of cancer. Data was collected using a questionnaire. Results: We had 155 patients, with a sex ratio of 1.38. The median age was 6 years, with peaks of 2 months and 18 years. The must represented symptoms was fever (29.2%), followed by abdominal swelling (19.4%). The median number of resorts before the CME was 3 (2-4) with a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 15. 64.5% of children were brought to consultation in primary care to a general practitioner. 91 patients had at least three remedies: doctors (69.5%), healers and others (21.8%). The referral of children was mainly made by a pediatrician (29.5%). The average time between the onset of symptoms and consultation was 8 months. Patients came mostly at stages 3 and 4 at 51% and 39.4%, respectively. Conclusion: The majority of patients go to modern medicine. The time of arrival at the Service is long, the stages to the diagnosis very advanced.