Malignant diseases in children aged 0 to 14 years in the Republic of Uzbekistan

Abstract

Malignant diseases in children are among the leading causes of death in the 0–14 age group. While five-year survival rates exceed 80% in high-income countries, these indicators remain significantly lower in countries with limited resources.

Objective: to assess the incidence and survival of children aged 0 to 14 years diagnosed with malignant diseases in the Republic of Uzbekistan from 2017 to 2023.

Materials and Methods. A retrospective observational study was conducted using data from a specialized national pediatric cancer registry. The study included newly diagnosed cases in children who were citizens of Uzbekistan. In Tashkent and Tashkent Region, active case monitoring was implemented, while in other regions, case registration relied on spontaneous reports from local clinics.

Results. A total of 3909 cases were registered. The overall incidence was 5.6 per 100,000 children, with an age-standardized incidence rate of 5.62. Leukemias accounted for 55% of all cases, while central nervous system tumors were less than 8%. The five-year overall survival rate was 37%, and the event-free survival rate was 39%. Incidence and survival rates were significantly higher in Tashkent and Tashkent Region compared to other regions.

Conclusions. The findings suggest substantial underreporting of cases outside the capital. There is a critical need for active surveillance, improved early diagnosis, and greater access to specialized pediatric oncology care throughout the country.