Management of children with brain tumors in Paraguay.
Neuro Oncol
; 15(2): 235-41, 2013 Feb.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23197688
BACKGROUND: Cure rates among children with brain tumors differ between low-income and high-income countries. To evaluate causes of these differences, we analyzed aspects of care provided to pediatric neuro-oncology patients in a low middle-income South American country. METHODS: Three methods were used to evaluate treatment of children with brain tumors in Paraguay: (1) a quantitative needs assessment questionnaire for local treating physicians, (2) site visits to assess 3 tertiary care centers in Asunción and a satellite clinic in an underdeveloped area, and (3) interviews with health care workers from relevant disciplines to determine their perceptions of available resources. Treatment failure was defined as abandonment of therapy, relapse, or death. RESULTS: All 3 tertiary care facilities have access to chemotherapy and pediatric oncologists but lack training and tools for neuropathology and optimal neurosurgery. The 2 public hospitals also lack access to appropriate radiological tests and timely radiotherapy. These results demonstrate disparities in Paraguay, with rates of treatment failure ranging from 37% to 83% among the 3 facilities. CONCLUSIONS: National and center-specific deficiencies in resources to manage pediatric brain tumors contribute to poor outcomes in Paraguay and suggest that both national and center-specific interventions are warranted to improve care. Disparities in Paraguay reflect different levels of governmental and philanthropic support, program development, and socio-economic status of patients and families, which must be considered when developing targeted strategies to improve management. Effective targeted interventions can serve as a model to develop pediatric brain tumor programs in other low- and middle-income countries.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Neoplasias Encefálicas
/
Avaliação das Necessidades
/
Disparidades em Assistência à Saúde
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
America do sul
/
Paraguay
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Neuro Oncol
Assunto da revista:
NEOPLASIAS
/
NEUROLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2013
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos
País de publicação:
Reino Unido