A Milestone in Pediatric Cancer Surveillance

Chennai Unveils India’s First Childhood Cancer Registry Report: In a pioneering step for India’s health data ecosystem, Chennai has launched the country’s first dedicated report on childhood cancer, as part of the Chennai Population-Based Childhood Cancer Registry (PBCCR). This marks a significant shift in Indian cancer surveillance, focusing entirely on pediatric cases for the first time. The registry recorded 241 cancer cases among children within the Greater Chennai Corporation limits in 2022, offering important insights into how quickly diagnosis and treatment are occurring.

Speedy Detection and Early Intervention

The report revealed encouraging timelines: the average gap between the appearance of symptoms and diagnosis was just 12.5 days, and treatment typically began within two days of diagnosis. These figures reflect the efficiency of Tamil Nadu’s public health system, particularly in managing pediatric cancers. The Cancer Institute (WIA) in Adyar, which coordinated the registry, credited the state government for its proactive approach to childhood cancer care.

Common Cancers and Detailed Case Tracking

The most frequent cancer types found among children were leukemia, lymphoma, and soft tissue sarcomas, affecting both boys and girls. Of the 241 total cases, 170 were captured with high-resolution data, which included information on disease stages, therapy protocols, and follow-up results. Impressively, 81.2% of these children received curative treatments, primarily involving chemotherapy.

An important achievement noted in the report is that 88% of solid tumors were caught at a localized stage, greatly increasing the chances of successful treatment. Only a small percentage of children were diagnosed at an advanced stage, reflecting the success of early detection systems.

Encouraging Survival Statistics

At the two-year mark, 71% of high-resolution cases were still surviving, and 81% of those survivors were in remission. Looking at all 241 cases combined, 59.3% of the children remained alive after two years, indicating positive treatment outcomes and improvements in pediatric oncology care.

Although Chennai’s age-standardized pediatric cancer incidence rate stands at 136.3 per million, experts clarified that this reflects strong reporting and case capture, rather than a rising disease burden.

Collaborative Model Across Institutions

The registry was supported by 17 healthcare institutions, with the Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children in Egmore contributing the highest number—104 cases. This demonstrates a robust inter-hospital collaboration model, essential for building comprehensive, population-wide health records.

The report was officially launched by Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma. Subramanian, who also inaugurated the Tamil Nadu Statewide Childhood Cancer Registry and the INPHOG Hospital-Based Registry, reinforcing the state’s commitment to systematic cancer monitoring and pediatric healthcare advancement.

Static GK Snapshot: Pediatric Cancer Registry in India