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Web-based survey of resources for treatment and long-term follow-up for children with brain tumors in developing countries

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Abstract

Introduction

Information about pediatric survivors of brain tumors in developing countries is scant.

Purpose

In this study, we aimed to investigate the availability of resources for treatment and long-term follow-up of children with central nervous system tumors in developing countries.

Materials and methods

A web-based questionnaire on available services and follow-up of brain tumor survivors was posted at www.cure4kids.org, and registered users were invited to participate.

Results

A total of 140 evaluable responses from developing countries (n = 103) and high-income countries (n = 37) were obtained. There was a significant correlation between gross national income and the availability of services for treatment and follow-up and between patient load and the availability of some services.

Conclusion

The resources for treatment and long-term follow-up of children with brain tumors need to be improved in developing countries.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge Dorothy May and Jay Knight from the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for their technical support.

Conflict of interest

There is no conflict of interest to report from any author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA

    Ibrahim Qaddoumi

  2. Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey

    Ekrem Unal

  3. Department of Neuro-Oncology, Institute of Neurological Research Dr Raul Carrea (FLENI), Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Blanca Diez

  4. Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Oncology Institute, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Rejin Kebudi

  5. International Outreach Program, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA

    Yuri Quintana

  6. Division of Hematology and Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Eric Bouffet

  7. Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital JP Garrahan, Combate de los Pozos 1881, Buenos Aires, C1245AAL, Argentina

    Guillermo Chantada

Authors
  1. Ibrahim Qaddoumi
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  2. Ekrem Unal
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  3. Blanca Diez
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  4. Rejin Kebudi
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  5. Yuri Quintana
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  6. Eric Bouffet
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  7. Guillermo Chantada
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Guillermo Chantada.

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Qaddoumi, I., Unal, E., Diez, B. et al. Web-based survey of resources for treatment and long-term follow-up for children with brain tumors in developing countries. Childs Nerv Syst 27, 1957–1961 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-011-1479-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-011-1479-9

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