Paediatric Radiotherapy in Morocco

Abstract

In Morocco, through the finding of the Casablanca population-based registry, all cancers are estimated at 35000 new cases par year and 3.2% are aged less or equal 20 years [1]. In our centre, we treated patient from Casablanca region and the half south of Morocco and we treated children and adults in the same unit. During ten years (2004-2014), we've irradiated 5510 children that represented 4% of all patients. The most frequent tumour were the CNS tumours (20.7%) followed by lymphoma (20.7%) specially Hodgkin disease in 75% of all lymphoma. The bone sarcoma was noted in 17.9% and the carcinoma and the epithelial tumours were 16%. We needed anaesthesia for the simulation and the treatment (for all the sessions) in 1% of all cases. We started using conformational radiation therapy since 2008. The locally stages were noted in 75% correlated with the delay of diagnosis. All children were treated by the 2 linear accelerators during all the day especially during the morning. The median time to start radiation was more than 1 month in 68% and 12% more than 3 months. We used the SIOP recommendations and all cases were discussed during the multidisciplinary paediatric oncology committee of the hospital. More time was necessary for the treatment planification since the CT simulation, dosimetry and given radiation.