The Types and Clinicopathological Characteristics of Childhood Solid Tumors in Duhok City: A Case Series Study

Background

Since cancer is a leading cause of death for children and adolescents worldwide and constitutes a challenge to health care systems, childhood cancer data systems are needed to drive continuous improvements in care quality.

Objective

To provide an overview of childhood malignant solid tumors in Duhok city, we reported the clinicopathological features of 33 cases. PATIENTS AND

Method

During the 17-month period from June 2019 to November 2020, 33 cases of childhood solid cancers were diagnosed at Jeen Centre, regional referral center in duhok government.We performed a pathological and clinical evaluation of these tumors, including tumor types, patient age and sex, presenting clinical findings, symptom duration, blood picture, and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels.

Results

The types and proportions of solid tumors were: lymphomas (Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin) 10 (30.3%), brain tumors 7 (21.2%), neuroblastoma 5 (15.1%), retinoblastoma 4 (12.1%), Wilms tumor 3 (9.1%), rhabdomyosarcoma 2 (6.1%), and Ewing sarcoma 2 (6.1%). The male-to-female ratio was 1.2:1. 14 (42.4%) patients were <5 years, 14 (42.4%) between 5–10 years, and 5 (15.2%) above 10 years. Abdominal mass was palpable in eight patients, peripheral masses in eight, and six had no palpable mass. Mild to moderate anemia was found in 15 (45%), and serum LDH was elevated in 9 (27%). Renal and hepatic transaminases were normal in all patients.

Conclusion

Despite slight differences, the pattern of solid tumors observed in children in Duhok is similar to other countries. Cancer should be included in the differential diagnosis of persistent non-specific symptoms, even without a palpable mass.