New Delhi: A recent report from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has brought a sigh of relief to families battling pediatric cancers. According to the latest data from the AIIMS Oncology Department, the survival and cure rates for children with cancer have shown a remarkable improvement in India, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s fight against this life-threatening disease.
Cancer in children remains a serious concern, with an estimated 70,000 new cases diagnosed annually across the country. While timely medical intervention has always been critical, even minor delays in treatment could prove fatal. Over the years, advancements in oncology have transformed the prognosis for young patients.
Decades ago, only about 50 percent of children diagnosed with cancer survived. Today, these numbers have improved dramatically. Dr. Rachana Seth, Professor at the AIIMS Oncology Department, highlights that survival rates for specific cancers have seen exponential growth. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which previously had a survival rate of only 30 percent, now boasts an 88 percent cure rate an achievement she describes as “groundbreaking.”
Dr. Aditya Kumar Gupta, another senior oncologist at AIIMS, emphasized that survival rates vary depending on cancer type. Retinoblastoma, a childhood eye cancer, now has a cure rate of approximately 90 percent. Each year, AIIMS registers between 450 and 500 cases of various pediatric cancers, with leukemia, lymphoma, retinoblastoma, brain tumors, and bone cancers being the most common. Leukemia and lymphoma account for nearly three out of every four cases, while retinoblastoma constitutes one in four. Brain and bone cancers, though less frequent, remain a significant concern.
Dr. Rachana points out that some pediatric cancers exhibit strong genetic links, while the exact cause of many others remains unidentified. Alarmingly, about 15 percent of cases experience recurrence even after successful treatment, underscoring the need for continuous monitoring and specialized care for these patients.
The AIIMS data also reveals that the majority of children seeking treatment come from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, reflecting stark disparities in healthcare access across different regions. Early diagnosis, advanced cancer treatments, availability of modern drugs, and improved treatment facilities have all contributed to the remarkable rise in pediatric cancer survival rates.
While challenges remain, the AIIMS report offers a message of hope: with timely medical attention and continued advancements in oncology, more children are now surviving cancers that were once considered fatal. Families and healthcare professionals alike can draw optimism from these encouraging trends, signaling a brighter future in the battle against childhood cancer in India.