CLINICAL WORK
The ultimate goal is
to cure as many children
as possible
CLINICAL WORK
The ultimate goal is
to cure as many children
as possible
OUR GLOBAL AIM
Dr. Madero works with a wide, multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. Their global aim is not only to cure as many children with cancer as possible, but also to ensure good quality of life for cured children, minimizing their long-term sequelae.
OUR COMMITMENT TO CURE CHILDHOOD CANCER
Over the last years, childhood cancer has become increasingly relevant in the field of Pediatrics. The mortality rates caused by other diseases has decreased, giving malignancies a higher qualitative relevance among childhood diseases. In fact, cancer is currently the second most frequent cause of death in children older than one year. (Of note: the most frequent cause are accidents, including intoxication accidents, trauma injuries and child abuse).
Since 1980, there is a national registry for childhood cancer patients in Spain (“Registro Nacional de Tumores Infantiles”), which provides epidemiological data about pediatric malignancies.
The incidence of the different types of pediatric malignancies in Spain is shown in this table.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHILDHOOD CANCER
Leukemia accounts for over one third of childhood malignancies, while it only accounts for less than 5% of adult malignancies. Pediatric tumors are most frequently located in deep anatomic sites, they do not involve the epithelia, and they do not usually cause superficial bleeding nor tumor cells exfoliation. Therefore, some of the screening methods used in adults are not applicable to children. Most pediatric patients with cancer are diagnosed by accident, and very often at advanced disease stages.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CHILDHOOD CANCER AND ADULT CANCER
Fortunately, the incidence of cancer in children (0-15 years old) is far lower than in adults. Moreover, it is important to highlight the significant differences between pediatric and adult malignancies. The most common histological types in children are embryonal tumors and sarcomas, as opposed to carcinomas in adults.
ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS ONCOLOGY
Over the last years, the so-called “Adolescents and Young Adults Oncology” has become an emerging discipline.
There is an increasing awareness among oncologists about the special care that this age group requires. In the past, there has been a strict division between pediatric and adult oncology, leaving 15-24 year-old patients in between, in a “no-man’s land”.
I strongly believe that pediatric and adult oncologists should work together to develop a specific frame for these patients, attending to their biological and psychosocial needs. This collaboration will promote the setup of new protocols for adolescents and young adults with cancer, and their inclusion in clinical trials.
OUR GLOBAL AIM
Dr. Madero works with a wide, multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. Their global aim is not only to cure as many children with cancer as possible, but also to ensure good quality of life for cured children, minimizing their long-term sequelae.
OUR COMMITMENT TO CURE CHILDHOOD CANCER
Over the last years, childhood cancer has become increasingly relevant in the field of Pediatrics. The mortality rates caused by other diseases has decreased, giving malignancies a higher qualitative relevance among childhood diseases. In fact, cancer is currently the second most frequent cause of death in children older than one year. (Of note: the most frequent cause are accidents, including intoxication accidents, trauma injuries and child abuse).
Since 1980, there is a national registry for childhood cancer patients in Spain (“Registro Nacional de Tumores Infantiles”), which provides epidemiological data about pediatric malignancies.
The incidence of the different types of pediatric malignancies in Spain is shown in this table.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHILDHOOD CANCER
Leukemia accounts for over one third of childhood malignancies, while it only accounts for less than 5% of adult malignancies. Pediatric tumors are most frequently located in deep anatomic sites, they do not involve the epithelia, and they do not usually cause superficial bleeding nor tumor cells exfoliation. Therefore, some of the screening methods used in adults are not applicable to children. Most pediatric patients with cancer are diagnosed by accident, and very often at advanced disease stages.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CHILDHOOD CANCER AND ADULT CANCER
Fortunately, the incidence of cancer in children (0-15 years old) is far lower than in adults. Moreover, it is important to highlight the significant differences between pediatric and adult malignancies. The most common histological types in children are embryonal tumors and sarcomas, as opposed to carcinomas in adults.
ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS ONCOLOGY
Over the last years, the so-called “Adolescents and Young Adults Oncology” has become an emerging discipline.
There is an increasing awareness among oncologists about the special care that this age group requires. In the past, there has been a strict division between pediatric and adult oncology, leaving 15-24 year-old patients in between, in a “no-man’s land”.
I strongly believe that pediatric and adult oncologists should work together to develop a specific frame for these patients, attending to their biological and psychosocial needs. This collaboration will promote the setup of new protocols for adolescents and young adults with cancer, and their inclusion in clinical trials.
