Pathologist: 300 child cancer cases recorded in LUTH within one year

Abidemi Omonisi, a consultant pathologist, says the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) recorded 300 child cancer cases in one year.

Omonisi spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at the in-country mission programme action for cancer therapy (imPACT) review.

The imPACT, a division of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), assesses countries’ cancer control capabilities, identifies challenges, and informs them of gaps to aid future control plans and implementation.

However, Omonisi did not say which year the cases were recorded but said they indicated an increase in childhood cancers in Nigeria, warranting prominence and attention.

The pathologist said focus has always been on breast, cervical, and prostate cancers.

“However, our registry data shows that children also suffer from cancer, including inherited cases,” Omonisi said.

“During my consultancy visit to LUTH, we discovered a changing trend.

“Previously dominant Burkitt lymphoma has given way to methodological malignancy, specifically leukemia.”

Omonisi said the LUTH registry would serve as Nigeria’s first population-based childhood cancer registry, providing robust data for analysis.

He said by December, the collected data would be analysed, and findings would inform policy suggestions to the government, noting that the childhood cancer registry would be replicated in all six geopolitical zones.

Laura Haskins from the IAEA said the review, requested by the federal government, was meant to analyse Nigeria’s cancer control capacities and needs.

“The IAEA, WHO, and IARC provide technical support to countries strengthening their cancer control,” Haskins said.

“We acknowledge Nigeria’s existing capacity and seek to tailor our assessment to its specific needs.”

Musa Ali-Gombe, the director of clinical services at the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), said the meeting’s objective was to engage stakeholders nationwide on their roles, challenges, and gaps in cancer control activities.

“Participants include academic institutions, medical professional associations, NGOs, and CSOs involved in cancer advocacy,“ Ali-Gombe said.

“This collaboration will produce a comprehensive document for the government to implement suggested improvements.”