Childhood cancer in the Bierzo health area: 1989-2003

Objective: the objective of this study is to gain an awareness of the incidence of childhood cancer, the epidemiological, clinical and administrative features of the diagnosed cases in the Bierzo health area during the period 1989-2003. Material and methods: we designed a retrospective descriptive study by collecting information from diagnosed cancer cases amongst children under 15 years of age over the aforementioned period. Results: twenty-two cases were diagnosed, with an annual incidence of 7 in 100,000. Of these diagnosed cases, 50% belonged to the haematological group, whilst central nervous system cases accounted for 27% and bone tumours made up 14% of the total. The fact that no tumours were diagnosed in 1990, 1996 and 1997 is particularly noteworthy, and a maximum of five cases registered in 1998. There is a predominance of male patients (60%) and 64% of children in this group were under 5 years of age, representing a significant statistical increase. Eighty-two percent of the cases were diagnosed within 48 hours after admission. All cases were subsequently transferred to a higher level hospital. The level 3 hospital sent back the clinical report in only 22% of the cases. Conclusions: the annual incidence of cancer amongst children in the Bierzo health area is 7 in 100,000. The annual incidence amongst children under the age of 5 is 19 in 100,000. Males predominated, and amongst this group, there is a high incidence of younger members. Haematological cancer is the most frequently encountered type. All procedures involving tumours were transferred. The official written report with the hospital reference is unidirectional in 78% of the cases.