{"title":"Intrapelvic Tumor Height as a Promising Novel Prognostic Indicator for Long-Term Functional Outcomes in Sacrococcygeal Teratomas.","authors":"Sébastien Faraj, Yousuf Al-Shaqsi, Pauline Lallemant-Dudek, Eleonore Blondiaux, Aurore Coulomb-Lhermine, Sabine Irtan, Georges Audry","doi":"10.1002/1545-5017.70264","DOIUrl":"10.1002/1545-5017.70264","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is considered the most common congenital neoplasm in neonates. This study aimed to assess long-term impacts on urinary and anorectal functions and quality of life (QoL) in patients who underwent surgery for SCT and to identify predictive factors for these outcomes, with a focus on the intrapelvic tumor height (ITH).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective study included patients treated surgically for SCT, between 1984 and 2017 at our hospital. Urologic and anorectal functions were evaluated through clinical assessments and patient-reported outcomes through questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed to explore correlations between these factors and long-term functional outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-six patients (median age = 17 years) were identified. With a median follow-up of 180 months (96-444 months), 12 patients (46%) presented functional impairments: seven had isolated anorectal dysfunction, and five had both urinary and anorectal dysfunctions, including neurogenic bladder (n = 2) and/or detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia (n = 3). A significant correlation was observed between adverse outcomes and ITH (median ITH was 27 mm in patients with impairments versus 15 mm in those without, p < 0.05). Of the 12 questionnaire respondents, two patients experienced urinary and anorectal dysfunctions, and five experienced isolated anorectal dysfunction. Most patients reported a good QoL, with only one patient reporting a severe impact on daily life.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Long-term urologic and anorectal dysfunctions are prevalent in patients treated for SCT, although the overall impact on QoL remains moderate. Importantly, ITH emerged as a more objective and accurate predictor of functional outcomes than tumor size or Altman classification.</p>","PeriodicalId":19822,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Blood & Cancer","volume":" ","pages":"e70264"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147474805","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abdelhafeez H Abdelhafeez, Karson Rosenberger, Peyton Crest, Aydin Unal, Emily Zeng, Collette E Connor-Pham, Kristen Ryan, Lindsay J Talbot, Andrew M Davidoff, Andrew J Murphy
{"title":"Symptomatic Recurrent Splenomegaly Following Partial Splenectomy in Patients With Hereditary Spherocytosis.","authors":"Abdelhafeez H Abdelhafeez, Karson Rosenberger, Peyton Crest, Aydin Unal, Emily Zeng, Collette E Connor-Pham, Kristen Ryan, Lindsay J Talbot, Andrew M Davidoff, Andrew J Murphy","doi":"10.1002/1545-5017.70249","DOIUrl":"10.1002/1545-5017.70249","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is an inherited hematologic disorder characterized by spherical erythrocytes that are prematurely destroyed in the spleen. Total splenectomy (TS) and partial splenectomy (PS) are surgical interventions used to manage HS, but long-term outcomes, including recurrence of splenomegaly and splenomegaly-related symptoms, remain poorly understood.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aims to evaluate the long-term recurrence of splenomegaly and splenomegaly-related symptoms in children with HS who underwent PS versus TS at a single institution between 2008 and 2020.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective chart review of children with HS who underwent TS or PS was performed. The primary end point was the long-term recurrence of splenomegaly and splenomegaly-related symptoms. Variables collected included age, sex, surgical method (PS vs. TS), postoperative hematologic markers, splenic volume, postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, recurrence of splenomegaly, and need for completion splenectomy. Symptomatic recurrent splenomegaly is defined as splenic volume > 450 mL and the presence of symptoms directly attributable to the spleen and its effects on adjacent organs or hemolysis. Statistical analysis included comparisons of continuous variables using a Kruskal-Wallis test and categorical variables using a Fisher's exact test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Forty-four patients with HS met the inclusion criteria for the study. Of these, 31 (71%) patients underwent laparoscopic PS and 13 (30%) patients underwent laparoscopic TS. TS was associated with significantly less intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.003), shorter hospital stays (p = 0.01), and greater reduction in hemolysis compared to PS, as evidenced by lower postoperative bilirubin levels and reticulocyte counts (both p < 0.001). Eighteen (58%) PS patients experienced recurrent splenomegaly, and six (19%) PS patients experienced splenomegaly-related symptoms leading to completion splenectomy. Among the six patients who required completion splenectomy, intraoperative hemorrhage requiring conversion to open procedure occurred in half. The median time to need completion splenectomy was 10.5 years (range, 3-15 years).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>TS offers more significant long-term hematologic improvements but comes with the loss of immune function and increased risk of overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI). PS, while preserving some splenic function and theoretically reducing OPSI risk, carries a higher risk of recurrent symptomatic splenomegaly and may require additional surgeries. These findings highlight the importance of long-term follow-up for HS patients who undergo PS and the need to balance the advantages and risks of both surgical approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":19822,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Blood & Cancer","volume":" ","pages":"e70249"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147481092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hannah N Rinehardt, Elisabeth T Tracy, Anghela Paredes, Catherine Beckhorn, Harold J Leraas, Joseph Fusco, Katlyn G McKay, Nelly-Ange T Kontchou, Zachary J Kastenberg, David W Hoyt, Jonathan Roach, Emily K Myers, Nicholas G Cost, Bhargava Mullapudi, Charles R Marchese, Amanda R Jensen, Timothy B Lautz, Michela Carter, Roshni Dasgupta, John Lundstedt, Joseph G Brungardt, Lindsay Talbot, Andrew M Davidoff, Andrew J Murphy, Jennifer H Aldrink, Sara Mansfield, Nelson Piche, Annie Le-Nguyen, Dave R Lal, Brian T Craig, Jennifer M Schuh, Barrett P Cromeens, Sindhu Mannava, Shannon Castle, Adriana Lopez, Kelsey Mello, Joshua Short, Robin T Petroze, Shay Rajavel, Grace R Thompson, Peter Mattei, David H Rothstein, Elizabeth Fialkowski, Kathryn Fowler, Nathan Martchenke, Barrie S Rich, Richard D Glick, Erin G Brown, Kathleen Doyle, Paige Abril, Natashia Seemann, Jacob Davidson, Claire A Wilson, Hau D Le, Devashish Joshi, Michael Stellon, Tamer Ahmed, Alexandra Dimmer, Peter F Ehrlich, Maya Hammoud, Keyonna Williams, Christa N Grant, Merit Gorgy, Stephanie F Polites, Julia Debertin, Danielle B Cameron, Alyssa Stetson, Eugene S Kim, William G Lee, Aaron Barkhordar, Mary Austin, Brian A Coakley, Anastasia Kahan, Joseph T Murphy, Michael Pitonak, Chloé Boehmer, Marcus M Malek
{"title":"Outcomes and Surgical Management of Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor of the Kidney: A Report From the Pediatric Surgical Oncology Research Collaborative.","authors":"Hannah N Rinehardt, Elisabeth T Tracy, Anghela Paredes, Catherine Beckhorn, Harold J Leraas, Joseph Fusco, Katlyn G McKay, Nelly-Ange T Kontchou, Zachary J Kastenberg, David W Hoyt, Jonathan Roach, Emily K Myers, Nicholas G Cost, Bhargava Mullapudi, Charles R Marchese, Amanda R Jensen, Timothy B Lautz, Michela Carter, Roshni Dasgupta, John Lundstedt, Joseph G Brungardt, Lindsay Talbot, Andrew M Davidoff, Andrew J Murphy, Jennifer H Aldrink, Sara Mansfield, Nelson Piche, Annie Le-Nguyen, Dave R Lal, Brian T Craig, Jennifer M Schuh, Barrett P Cromeens, Sindhu Mannava, Shannon Castle, Adriana Lopez, Kelsey Mello, Joshua Short, Robin T Petroze, Shay Rajavel, Grace R Thompson, Peter Mattei, David H Rothstein, Elizabeth Fialkowski, Kathryn Fowler, Nathan Martchenke, Barrie S Rich, Richard D Glick, Erin G Brown, Kathleen Doyle, Paige Abril, Natashia Seemann, Jacob Davidson, Claire A Wilson, Hau D Le, Devashish Joshi, Michael Stellon, Tamer Ahmed, Alexandra Dimmer, Peter F Ehrlich, Maya Hammoud, Keyonna Williams, Christa N Grant, Merit Gorgy, Stephanie F Polites, Julia Debertin, Danielle B Cameron, Alyssa Stetson, Eugene S Kim, William G Lee, Aaron Barkhordar, Mary Austin, Brian A Coakley, Anastasia Kahan, Joseph T Murphy, Michael Pitonak, Chloé Boehmer, Marcus M Malek","doi":"10.1002/1545-5017.70296","DOIUrl":"10.1002/1545-5017.70296","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney (MRTK) is a rare, aggressive tumor seen in young children. The optimal timing of resection for locally advanced tumors is not well-defined. The purpose of this study is to evaluate modern oncologic outcomes and the impact of surgical timing.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A multicenter retrospective review was performed by institutions participating in the Pediatric Surgical Oncology Research Collaborative. Children younger than 21 years old with MRTK diagnosed between 2000 and 2022 were included.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Sixty-nine patients were identified with MRTK and met the inclusion criteria. Median age of diagnosis was 10.1 months. Overall survival (OS) at 1, 5, and 10 years was 49%, 32%, and 19%, respectively. Patients with local Stage III disease who underwent upfront resection (n = 18) compared to those who had delayed resection after NAT (n = 15) had a similar OS, median OS greater than 60 months versus 14.6 months, respectively; p = 0.396. The surgical timing groups were balanced in terms of the presence of metastasis, length of follow-up, and tumor characteristics. There was one occurrence of primary intraoperative tumor spill and two occurrences of organ injury in the upfront resection group compared to none in the delayed resection group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>MRTK carries a poor prognosis despite multimodal treatment. Histologic diagnosis may not be confirmed at presentation, and MRTK cannot be reliably distinguished from Wilms tumor on imaging alone. As overall survival is similar, the decision regarding surgical timing in locally advanced tumors should be individualized based on perceived resectability, balancing the risk of intraoperative complications against the possibility of tumor progression during neoadjuvant therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":19822,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Blood & Cancer","volume":" ","pages":"e70296"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147521521","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jose de Jesus Perez-Becerra, Sinhue Alejandro Brukman-Jimenez, Juan Antonio Ramirez-Corona, Alfredo Corona-Rivera, Jorge Román Corona-Rivera, Katia Alejandra Castillo-Reyes, Graciela Gonzalez-Perez, Aurea Márquez-Mora, Graciela Serafin-Saucedo, Violeta Cassandra Vera-Cuevas, Uriel Francisco Santana-Bejarano, Mireya Orozco-Vela, Lucina Bobadilla-Morales
{"title":"Spectrum of Germline Cytogenomic Alterations in RB1 in Mexican Patients With Retinoblastoma.","authors":"Jose de Jesus Perez-Becerra, Sinhue Alejandro Brukman-Jimenez, Juan Antonio Ramirez-Corona, Alfredo Corona-Rivera, Jorge Román Corona-Rivera, Katia Alejandra Castillo-Reyes, Graciela Gonzalez-Perez, Aurea Márquez-Mora, Graciela Serafin-Saucedo, Violeta Cassandra Vera-Cuevas, Uriel Francisco Santana-Bejarano, Mireya Orozco-Vela, Lucina Bobadilla-Morales","doi":"10.1002/1545-5017.70267","DOIUrl":"10.1002/1545-5017.70267","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The aim of this study was to characterize the spectrum of germline cytogenomic alterations in RB1 in Mexican patients with retinoblastoma.</p><p><strong>Procedures: </strong>Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood from 88 Mexican patients with retinoblastoma RB (56 unilateral and 32 bilateral) treated at the Civil Hospital of Guadalajara between 2014 and 2024. Single nucleotide variants (SNVs) were analyzed by next generation sequencing (NGS) using a custom RB1 panel. Large RB1 deletions were assessed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), whereas fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and G-banding karyotyping were applied following a hierarchical workflow based on institutional resources to identify deletions at 13q14.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Germline cytogenomic alterations were identified in 37 of the 88 patients (42.1%). Among these, 30 had bilateral RB and 7 had unilateral RB. Detection rates were 93.7% (30/32) in bilateral cases and 12.5% (7/56) in unilateral cases. Of the total cytogenomic alterations, 72.9% (27/37) were SNVs and 27.1% (10/37) were large deletions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study provides an overview of the spectrum of germline cytogenetic alterations and clinical features in Mexican patients with RB. Our results expand the understanding of RB in this population and underscore the need for multimodal approaches for the detection and functional characterization of RB1 alterations. This study reports the largest Mexican retinoblastoma cohort with comprehensive germline RB1 characterization and high detection rates, particularly in bilateral disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":19822,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Blood & Cancer","volume":" ","pages":"e70267"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147521585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alex Ciurej, Süreyya Savaşan, Kanta Bhambhani, Manisha Gadgeel, Madhvi Rajpurkar, Yaddanapudi Ravindranath
{"title":"Cooley's Legacy Endures-Elliptocytes in X-Linked Sideroblastic Anemia Due to Aminolevulinate Synthase 2 Mutations.","authors":"Alex Ciurej, Süreyya Savaşan, Kanta Bhambhani, Manisha Gadgeel, Madhvi Rajpurkar, Yaddanapudi Ravindranath","doi":"10.1002/1545-5017.70313","DOIUrl":"10.1002/1545-5017.70313","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>X-linked sideroblastic anemia (XLSA) is categorized as hypochromic microcytic anemia. In 3 children with XLSA, we observed prominent elliptocytosis, and red cell band 3 content histograms were similar to those found in hereditary elliptocytosis, thus validating Cooley's descriptions in 1945.</p>","PeriodicalId":19822,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Blood & Cancer","volume":" ","pages":"e70313"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147593748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rachel E Granberg, Jeffrey A Magee, Shalini Shenoy, Melissa Mavers, Robert J Hayashi, Jeffrey J Bednarski, Christopher Hugge, Sneha Chalfant, Alexandra E Kovach, Thomas Pfeiffer
{"title":"Successful Management of Lineage Switch Infant Leukemia With Revumenib and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.","authors":"Rachel E Granberg, Jeffrey A Magee, Shalini Shenoy, Melissa Mavers, Robert J Hayashi, Jeffrey J Bednarski, Christopher Hugge, Sneha Chalfant, Alexandra E Kovach, Thomas Pfeiffer","doi":"10.1002/1545-5017.70289","DOIUrl":"10.1002/1545-5017.70289","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19822,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Blood & Cancer","volume":" ","pages":"e70289"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147593778","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Liliana Vasquez, Edith Grynzspancholc, Diana Valencia, Milena Villaroel, Soad Fuentes Alabí, Claudia Sampor, Mauricio Maza
{"title":"Regional Landscape of Access, Availability, and Quality of Essential Pediatric Oncology Medicines in Latin America: Results From a Multicountry Survey.","authors":"Liliana Vasquez, Edith Grynzspancholc, Diana Valencia, Milena Villaroel, Soad Fuentes Alabí, Claudia Sampor, Mauricio Maza","doi":"10.1002/1545-5017.70320","DOIUrl":"10.1002/1545-5017.70320","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Equitable access to essential pediatric oncology medicines is critical for improving childhood cancer outcomes in Latin America. However, disparities in availability, affordability, and quality continue to threaten treatment continuity and survival. This study assessed access to essential pediatric oncology medicines from the perspective of healthcare professionals and identified key structural barriers and opportunities for improvement.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 148 health professionals involved in the care of children and adolescents with cancer across 137 institutions in 19 countries. The survey was disseminated through professional networks, including national focal points supporting the PAHO/WHO CureAll framework and delegates of the Latin American Society of Pediatric Oncology. A structured online questionnaire collected data on medicine availability, access, procurement mechanisms, quality concerns, and civil society involvement. Outcomes were stratified by country income level and geographic subregion.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seventy percent of respondents reported that pediatric oncology medicines were financed through government mechanisms. Nevertheless, administrative delays, coverage denials, and out-of-pocket payments remained common, particularly in Central America and Mexico. Respondents from lower-middle-income countries were significantly more likely to report medicine unavailability (76.2% vs. 20%; p < 0.001) and family out-of-pocket purchases (90.5% vs. 40%; p < 0.001) compared with high-income settings. Quality concerns were reported by half of the respondents. Civil society organizations frequently helped bridge supply gaps and advocate for access.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Access to essential pediatric oncology medicines in Latin America remains uneven and reflects structural differences in health system organization and financing. Strengthening health system capacity and governance is essential to ensure equitable and reliable access to quality-assured treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":19822,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Blood & Cancer","volume":" ","pages":"e70320"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147623185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Meaghann S Weaver, Teresa Shurley, Elizabeth Bartholomew, Belinda Mandrell, Ambria Williams, Liza-Marie Johnson
{"title":"Parental Perspectives on an Educational Tool for Values-Informed Biobanking Consent in Pediatric Oncology: A Pilot Project.","authors":"Meaghann S Weaver, Teresa Shurley, Elizabeth Bartholomew, Belinda Mandrell, Ambria Williams, Liza-Marie Johnson","doi":"10.1002/1545-5017.70242","DOIUrl":"10.1002/1545-5017.70242","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Parents of children with cancer describe experiencing gaps in their knowledge and recall after providing biobanking informed consent. Following the Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence in Education Guidelines, we developed a biobanking educational website. This pilot project assessed parental perspectives on the content that was most valuable and relevant to their decision-making. Surveys and a focus group revealed that the website adequately covered the values-informed topics relevant to consent. Such educational tools have the potential to enhance interactive communication about biobanking by serving as a precursor to consent and ongoing reference to expand parents' understanding of what they have consented to.</p>","PeriodicalId":19822,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Blood & Cancer","volume":" ","pages":"e70242"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147474844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Oncology in Africa: A Survey of Awareness, Use, and Readiness Amongst Healthcare Workers.","authors":"Jaques van Heerden, Lara Sandri, Jennifer Geel","doi":"10.1002/1545-5017.70253","DOIUrl":"10.1002/1545-5017.70253","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to enhance oncology diagnostics, treatment planning, and patient monitoring. In pediatric oncology, AI can support both clinical care and research. The roles and awareness of AI in African pediatric oncology units are unknown. We aimed to assess knowledge and utilization of AI in pediatric oncology across Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional online survey was conducted during July and August 2025, using a structured questionnaire in English, French, and Portuguese distributed via Qualtrics. Eligible respondents included professionals working in pediatric oncology across Africa. Descriptive and comparative analyses were conducted using SPSS, and free-text responses were analyzed thematically.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were 138 respondents from 33 African countries. Most were pediatric oncologists (55.1%) and completed the survey in English (71.7%). Only 5.8% reported hospital use of AI tools, mainly for imaging and risk stratification. In the previous year, 51.4% used AI for educational content and 44.2% for research, while 68.8% had used an AI platform in the preceding week. More than half (54.3%) reported no impact of AI on their clinical practice. Familiarity with AI tools was low, with machine learning the most recognized (8.5%). Barriers included insufficient training (93.2%), budget constraints (87.3%), and lack of infrastructure (80.4%). Higher World Bank Income Group and greater clinical experience correlated with higher AI familiarity (p < 0.01). Interest in learning AI tools did not differ meaningfully between low-, lower middle-, and upper middle-income settings. Respondents identified key opportunities for AI adoption in diagnostics (32.6%) and clinical management (39.1%), particularly to automate functions in settings with limited human resources.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>AI adoption in African pediatric oncology remains limited, but there is strong interest and readiness to learn despite major barriers related to infrastructure, training, and resources. The most immediate opportunities for AI lie in automating clinical and administrative functions where human capacity is constrained.</p>","PeriodicalId":19822,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Blood & Cancer","volume":" ","pages":"e70253"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147481363","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Correction to \"A National Audit of Current UK Practice on the Use of Anti-Emetics for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Children\".","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/1545-5017.70245","DOIUrl":"10.1002/1545-5017.70245","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19822,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Blood & Cancer","volume":" ","pages":"e70245"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147486914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}