India's first nationwide registry tracking childhood cancer survivors has reported a striking 94.5% survival rate, highlighting the country's growing success in treating childhood cancer. However, the study also flagged ongoing concerns about long-term health complications for survivors, emphasising the need for continued monitoring and support.
The registry, which tracks over 5,400 children who were diagnosed with cancer, reveals that the five-year overall survival rate stands at 94.5%, with a survival rate of 89.9% for event-free outcomes.
Notably, a significant portion, 44% of children, were diagnosed between the ages of two and eight. This age group has become a focal point for early diagnosis and intervention, given the risks of late effects such as endocrine and metabolic complications, particularly leukaemia and lymphoma, the two most common cancers observed in this group.
The data further underscores the importance of post-treatment follow-up care. The study found that nearly 94.5% of children were followed up for at least two years after treatment, underscoring the need for comprehensive support networks to monitor health outcomes.
Moreover, children who had more frequent follow-up visits had a significantly higher rate of event-free survival compared to those who were lost to follow-up.
Among the survivors, acute leukaemia accounted for 40.9% of the cancers, followed by Hodgkin lymphoma (12.9%) and bone tumours (8.4%). The registry also emphasises the role of treatment received, with chemotherapy playing a critical role in achieving these high survival rates. Of the patients tracked, 94.7% had undergone chemotherapy, with 30.3% receiving stem cell transplants and 26.3% undergoing radiotherapy.
Despite the progress, doctors have flagged that the emotional and physical toll on survivors is still a major concern. Studies show that many survivors continue to experience psychological difficulties, and in some cases, social and academic struggles. Researchers have called for more specific follow-up care for these survivors, which includes addressing late health risks that may surface after remission.
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To address these long-term challenges, the study advocates for the development of targeted intervention programs. These programs would involve not only continuous medical assessments but also mental health support to ensure a holistic approach to childhood cancer survivorship.
The Indian Pediatric Haematology Oncology Group is already working on creating specialised post-treatment care guidelines, and several hospitals are starting to develop systems for remote follow-ups, using technology to maintain consistent contact with cancer survivors, regardless of their location.
As the national registry continues to collect more data over the next few years, it will provide a clearer picture of the trajectory of childhood cancer survival in India. Researchers are hopeful that their findings will further shape cancer care strategies in India, ultimately improving survival outcomes and quality of life for children battling cancer.
The study also highlights the crucial role that institutions have played in pushing forward research into childhood cancer survivorship and how it could inform policy and infrastructure improvements across the country.