European Journal of Cancer: Highlights of Issue 37:06

Improved survival following childhood cancer-European data from 1978-1992

Geographical variation in survival rates within Western Europe offers clues for improvement

Small differences in survival rates for childhood cancer between Europe and the USA.

In this issue

Improved survival, but marked geographical variation, in survival rates following childhood cancer - European data from 1978-1992

Population-based survival following childhood cancer has become an indicator of the effectiveness of paediatric oncology. In this issue, a range of epidemiological and biostatistical authors from approximately 30 European cancer registries, collaborating in the EUROCARE study, and aided by some paediatric oncologists, report and interpret geographical variations and time trends in survival. The study comprises 45 000 cases of childhood cancer diagnosed in Europe between 1978 and 1992. Supported by independent mortality data, remarkable progress in survival has been made during this period for all tumours, with the exception of those which already had good survival rates. However, clear differences remained between North Western Europe, where survival rates matched those in the USA, and Eastern European countries. Southern Europe, with as yet modest coverage, showed survival rates that were in between. This first study gives a good baseline from which future progress, or the lack thereof, can be monitored appropriately.

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