RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Latin American countries are improving childhood cancer care, showing strong commitment to implement the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, but there are scant publications of the situation at a continental level. METHODS: As part of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology Global Mapping project, delegates of each country participating in the Latin American Society of Pediatric Oncology (SLAOP) and chairs of national pediatric oncology societies and cooperative groups were invited to provide information regarding availability of national pediatric cancer control programs (NPCCP), pediatric oncology laws, pediatric oncology tumor registries, and training programs and support to diagnosis and treatment. RESULTS: Nineteen of the 20 countries participating in SLAOP responded. National delegates reported nine countries with NPCCP and four of them were launched in the past 5 years. National pediatric tumor registries are available in eight countries, and three provided published survival results. Fellowship programs for training pediatric oncologists are available in 12 countries. National delegates reported that eight countries provide support to most essential diagnosis and treatments and 11 provide partial or minimal support that is supplemented by civil society organizations. Seven countries have a pediatric oncology law. There are three international cooperative groups and four national societies for pediatric oncology. CONCLUSION: Despite many challenges, there were dramatic advances in survivorship, access to treatment, and availability of NPCCP in Latin America. Countries with highest social development scores in general provide more complete support and are more likely to have NPCCP, training programs, and reported survival results.
RESUMEN
Palliative care offers children who have life-limiting and life-threatening oncologic illnesses and their families improved quality of life. In some instances, impeccable symptom control can lead to improved survival. Cultural and financial barriers to palliative care in oncology patients occur in all countries, and those located in Central America are no exception. In this article, we summarize how the programs participating in the Asociación de Hemato-Oncólogos Pediatras de Centro America (AHOPCA) have developed dedicated oncology palliative care programs. The experience in Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, Dominican Republic and Haiti is detailed, with a focus on history, the barriers that have impeded progress, and achievements. Future directions, which, of course, may be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, are described as well.