Childhood Solid Tumors

1. Basic Overview

Childhood solid tumors account for 40%-50% of childhood malignant tumors, with a global annual incidence of 12-15 per 100,000 children, and are one of the leading causes of death in children.

Core types include neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, hepatoblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, retinoblastoma, osteosarcoma, medulloblastoma, etc.. Most are embryonic tumors with high malignancy and rapid progression, but they are much more sensitive to comprehensive treatment than adult solid tumors. The overall 5-year survival rate after standardized treatment exceeds 70%, and some tumors (e.g. Wilms tumor) have a 5-year survival rate of over 90%.

2. Standard Treatment Modalities

Surgical treatment: Radical tumor resection, minimally invasive laparoscopic/thoracoscopic resection, limb-salvage surgery for osteosarcoma, eye-preserving treatment for retinoblastoma.
Chemotherapy: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant chemotherapy, high-dose chemotherapy + autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for high-risk cases.
Radiotherapy: Proton and heavy ion radiotherapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), stereotactic radiotherapy to reduce the impact on children's growth and development.
Targeted and immunotherapy: GD2 monoclonal antibody for neuroblastoma, CAR-T cell therapy, tumor vaccines and other new therapies.
Multidisciplinary team (MDT) comprehensive treatment: The core treatment mode for pediatric solid tumors, with standardized whole-process management.

3. Core Advantages of Treatment in China

Survival rate on par with top global centers

: The overall 5-year survival rate of pediatric solid tumors in top Chinese centers exceeds 80%, with 95% for Wilms tumor, 85% for hepatoblastoma, and 90% for retinoblastoma, which is equal to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the US.

Leading precision therapy and new therapies

: China has one of the largest number of CAR-T cell therapy, GD2 monoclonal antibody immunotherapy cases for pediatric solid tumors in the world, with an effective rate of over 60% for recurrent/refractory neuroblastoma. Proton and heavy ion radiotherapy has mature technology, with a waiting period of only 1-2 weeks (2-3 months in Europe and America), and the cost is only 1/2-2/3 of that in the US.

Outstanding organ/limb preservation technology

: The eye preservation rate for retinoblastoma in top Chinese centers exceeds 80%, far higher than the global average; the limb-salvage surgery rate for pediatric osteosarcoma exceeds 90%, avoiding amputation. Minimally invasive radical surgery has a popularity rate of over 70%, with minimal trauma and maximum preservation of organ function.

Standardized MDT system with short waiting time

: MDT consultation is routinely carried out in all top pediatric oncology centers in China, with a treatment plan formulated within 3-7 days, while the waiting period for MDT consultation in Europe and America is often 1-3 months.

Ultra-high cost performance

: The cost of standardized comprehensive treatment in China is only 1/4-1/3 of that in Europe and America. For example, autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation + immunotherapy for high-risk neuroblastoma costs 500,000-800,000 USD in the US, but only 100,000-200,000 USD in top Chinese centers.