Delay in diagnosis of children with cancer: A retrospective study of 315 children

Motti Haimi, M. Peretz Nahum, M. Weyl Ben Arush

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

To determine the demographic and systemic parameters in children with solid malignancies and to ascertain which of them affected the delay in diagnosis, a retrospective study was performed on 315 children diagnosed with a solid tumor at our hospital, including epidemiological, social, and medical issues concerning the family, the child, the medical system, and the tumor. Lag time, defined as the interval between onset of symptoms and final diagnosis, including parent delay and physician delay, was estimated for each child. Mean lag time: 15. 75 weeks (w), median: 7 w, range: 0-208 w. Lowest mean values appeared in kidney tumors, highest in epithelial, brain and soft tissue sarcomas. Mean parent delay: 4.42 w, median: 1 w, range: 0-130 w. Mean physician delay: 11. 17 w, median: 4 w, range: 0-206 w. Among the demographic and personal parameters, the best predictors for diagnosis delay were age of child and father's ethnic origin. Several factors influenced diagnosis delay of childhood solid tumors. Recognizing these factors could minimize the delay, thereby improving the child's chances of survival.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)37-48
Number of pages12
JournalPediatric Hematology and Oncology
Volume21
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Childhood cancer
  • Diagnosis delay
  • Doctor's delay
  • Early detection
  • Lag time
  • Late diagnosis
  • Parent's delay

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Hematology
  • Oncology

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