Histopathological Pattern of Pediatric Malignant Tumors and Survival Rate at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Tanzania from 2013 to 2015

Background: Childhood malignant tumors are among diseases that cause death to children below 14 years. Although it is the second most common cause of death in children in developed countries, its magnitude in Africa is not well known.

Aim: To determine the proportion of pediatric malignant tumors and the immediate outcome among children attending Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Tanzania.

Study Design: Retrospective – hospital based study.

Place and Duration: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Pathology department, 3 years.

Methodology: Microscopic slides from January 2013 to December 2015 were retrieved from archives and evaluated at a magnification of 40x, 100x and 200x for histological features, diagnosis and disease grading. The findings were confirmed by the pediatric pathologist and concluded on the diagnoses and the grade. The tumors were graded into well-differentiated and undifferentiated. Parents/guardians were contacted through phone calls to establish progress of their children to assess the six-month survival rate.

Results: Among 84 studied patients’ slides, 43 (51.2%) were from males with the median (IQR) age of 4.5 (2.3-9.3) years while 50 children (59.5%) were under five years of age. Retinoblastoma 21 (25%) was the most common malignant tumor followed by Squamous cell carcinoma and Sarcoma comprising 13 (15.5%) each. Among 75 children other than patients with leukemia, 42 (56.0%) had well differentiated and 33 (44.0%) had undifferentiated malignant tumors. Forty-one (97.6%) of the patients with well-differentiated malignant tumors survived within six months from the date the specimen was taken. The overall six-month survival rate was 84.5%. Thirteen patients (15.5%) died during the six-month period of follow up.

Conclusion: Retinoblastoma was the most common malignant tumor affecting children <14 years in northern Tanzania. The overall six-month survival rate was high when early detection of childhood malignancies is practicable.