Abstract:
Introduction: Western Kenya is home to approximately 24 million people, with 10 mil-
lion children under the age of 15 years.1 Based on estimates of cancer incidence in
similar populations from around the world, approximately 1500 patients should be
diagnosed with pediatric cancer each year. This article describes the international col-
laboration that investigates potential barriers preventing the effective diagnosis of
pediatric patients with cancer.
Methods: Here, we describe a multidisciplinary and sequential approach to better eval-
uate the complex factors affecting the lack of appropriate diagnosis of pediatric cancer
in Western Kenya.
Results: Internal review at a large tertiary hospital noted 200–250 patients were diag-
nosed annually, suggesting the remaining 75%–80% of patients go undiagnosed and
do not receive treatment. Following our screening process at a local referring hospital,
41 malaria slides demonstrated both morphologic and genetic evidence of leukemia.
Knowledge assessments of local providers at referring institutions suggested a lack of
education and training as the factors that contribute to lower rates of diagnosis.
Discussion: Through a multi-step approach, our teams were better able to isolate
potential issues impeding the appropriate and timely diagnosis of pediatric cancer in
Kenya.
