Purpose “Endemic” Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is a common childhood cancer in Africa. Social and treatment factors may contribute to poor survival. With the aim of improving BL outcomes in Uganda, we undertook a comprehensive project (BL Project) that provided diagnostic support, access to standard chemotherapy, nutritional evaluations, and case management. We evaluated survival of children with BL in the context of the project. Patients and methods Patients followed by the BL Project who consented to research were enrolled in this study. Children with a pathology diagnosis consistent with BL were eligible. Data were collected prospectively. First‐line chemotherapy generally consisted of six cycles of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, low‐dose methotrexate (COM). We used Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses to evaluate factors associated with overall survival (OS). Results Between July 2012 and June 2017, 341 patients with suspected BL presented to the BL Project. One hundred eighty patients with a pathology‐based diagnosis were included in this study. The median age was seven years (interquartile range, 5–9), 74% lived ≥100 km from the Uganda Cancer Institute, 61% had late‐stage disease, 84% had ECOG performance status < 3, 63% reported B‐symptoms, and 22% showed neurologic symptoms. Fewer than 10% abandoned therapy. The four‐year OS rate was 44% (95% CI, 36%–53%). In a multivariate model, ECOG status was significantly associated with mortality. Conclusion The BL Project reduced effects of lacking supportive care and oncology resources, and allowed patients from Uganda to receive curative intent therapy with minimal loss to follow‐up. Nonetheless, OS remains unacceptably low. Improved therapeutic approaches to endemic BL are urgently needed in Africa.

The 13th African continental meeting of the international society of paediatric oncology, held on 6–9 March 2019 in Cairo, was organised in collaboration with the Children Cancer Hospital (57357) in Egypt and the global parents’ organisation (Childhood Cancer International) and supported by a large international faculty. With 629 delegates from 37 countries (24 African), this was the largest forum of healthcare professionals focused on children and young people with cancer in Africa to showcase advances and discuss further improvements. Three targeted workshops, on nursing care, pharmacy and nutrition, attracted large numbers and catalysed new collaborative initiatives in supportive care studies, extended roles for pharmacists in quality control and care delivery and addressed malnutrition concurrently with cancer treatment. The Collaborative Wilms Tumour Africa Project, open in seven sub-Saharan countries, and the trials in Burkitt’s lymphoma reported encouraging outcomes with further initiatives in supportive care (the supportive care for children with cancer in Africa project). While acknowledging deficits in radiotherapy provision, available in only 23 of 52 African countries, centres with facilities reported their technical advances that benefit patients. Of great importance for children with brain tumours, who are underdiagnosed in Africa, was the first announcement of African paediatric neuro-oncology society, whose 63 current members aim to tackle the shortage of neurosurgeons through training fellowships, workshops and a dedicated conference. The congress provided the opportunity to discuss how African countries will work with the WHO global initiative aiming to improve childhood cancer survival to 60% in all countries by 2030. This conference report is dedicated to the three Kenyan delegates who died tragically on the Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 on their way home, full of new ideas and pride in what they had achieved so far. All those who heard their presentations are determined to continue their excellent work to improve cancer care for children in Africa.

As African countries adopt the global goal of improving childhood cancer survival to 60% by the year 2030, intentional actions are required to improve nursing. This paper provides the perspective and amplifies the voice of African pediatric oncology nurses. It illuminates the room for improvement and provides a reference point for future comparison. First, we document findings from a survey of the perceived strengths and weaknesses conducted in 2017. The main strength was the humanization of care, while the major weakness was lack of training follow up and insufficient evidence to guide practice. Next, we report on nursing-related aspects of a survey to map pediatric oncology services in Africa. Only 21% of respondents in the mapping survey reported having nurses who care for children with cancer at least 75% of their time. Many centres do not have allied health workers like dieticians, play therapists, and psychologists. Furthermore, we share African pediatric oncology nurses’ research priorities identified in a 2019 survey. The top research priorities focused on professional practice and psychosocial support. In a Delphi survey to identify topics for a foundational curriculum for nurses new to pediatric oncology, 57 topics areas were identified and grouped into 12 modules. Finally, we report a single-question survey from 2022 to obtain the perspective of African nurses about the state of pediatric oncology nursing across the continent. The African nurses affirm their dedication to providing compassionate care, however, noting their vulnerability to harm and calling for certified training and better specialization recognition and remuneration.