For paediatric oncology researchers in Lithuania, the rest of the continent can feel very far away. There are few opportunities to train and research overseas, and a lack of investment in the country’s oncology infrastructure means its cancer care capability is lagging. A cross-border skills exchange aimed to turn things around.
The data on child cancer outcomes brings the problem sharply into focus.
Paediatric cancer survival rates can reach 80% in high income countries, but for Lithuanian children facing the disease, these figures are as much as 10 % lower. And because there are so few paediatric cancer patients – around 80 per year – clinicians often do not get the experience required to grow their expertise.
To address this problem, 32 Lithuanian cancer specialists were twinned with nine research partners in other countries who focused on childhood cancer – a golden opportunity to gain knowledge, skills and experience in this crucial area.
Lithuania’s young cancer patients are already seeing the benefits of the programme.
So far, over 30 children have received individual treatment recommendations based on the new learning.
The project focused on solid tumour cancers, specifically the kinds that are most common in children. These cancers, which affect the brain, kidneys and newly growing nerve cells, among other areas, require a variety of sampling and analysis techniques for their diagnosis and treatment.
The Lithuanian researchers and their partners across Europe worked to embed knowledge, raising the standard of care. They covered a wide range of areas, from drug therapies to diagnostic evaluation of patients and their families.
Another aspect of the project was developing genetic sequencing capabilities within Lithuania.
Being able to sequence a patient’s DNA allows clinicians to pick up rare genetic anomalies that can signal higher levels of risk. This information helps them intervene earlier in future cases so children have a better chance at a long and healthy life.