Norwegian Childhood Cancer Registry
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Cancer in children is rare, in 2023 there were 214 new registered cancer cases for children in the age group 0-17. Children have equally good prospects of recovery no matter where in Norway they live.
Summary from the annual report 2024
This annual report from the National Quality Registry for Childhood Cancer describes incidence, treatment and survival for all children and adolescents below the age of 18 in Norway, diagnosed with cancer from 1993 through 2024. In 2024, there were 204 newly diagnosed cancers in this age group. The incidence of childhood cancer in Norway has shown a slight increase from 1985 until the turn of the millennium, thereafter the incidence has been stable. There are no consistent regional differences in the incidence pattern.
Reliable and complete national registry data are essential to ensure high quality of childhood cancer care. Cancer in children and adolescents accounts for less than 1% of all cancer cases in Norway. In addition, since pediatric cancer consists of 12 diagnostic groups, each with many subgroups, the number of patients with each diagnosis is very small (for the smallest groups from 0 to 10 cases per year). For the most part, diagnostic procedure, staging, and treatment follow international protocols or treatment regimens. In addition, 39,1% of pediatric cancer patients are included in study protocols, most of which are treatment protocols monitored and run according to GCP (Good Clinical Practice) international standards. This is a very high number, which is unheard of for most adult cancers.
Diagnostic workup and most of the treatment takes place at one of the four regional pediatric cancer centers; Oslo University Hospital, Haukeland University Hospital, St. Olav’s Hospital and University Hospital of North Norway. At all departments, regular MDT meetings (MDT = Multidisciplinary Team) are held, ensuring that common national guidelines are followed, and equal access to high quality treatment is offered regardless of where the patient lives.
The Childhood Cancer Registry’s annual report also facilitates the opportunity to compare Norwegian results with other Nordic and European countries. Some cancers have more than 90% long-term survival (retinoblastoma, acute lymphocytic leukemia, lymphomas, low grade CNS tumors and germ cell tumors). Other diagnoses are still challenging, with survival rates of only 60-80% (bone tumors, acute myeloid leukemia and certain types of brain tumors). Overall survival from cancer in children and adolescents in Norway is now 89,6%, which is comparable with international results from countries with similar health care systems.
In addition to the never-ending pursuit to improve prognosis and survival, focus is redirected from survival as the only goal, to survival with a minimum of late effects. As many as 4 out of 5 childhood cancer survivors today are living with late effects of varying severity. In this year’s report, we focus on the fact that more than 7,000 individuals are currently alive in Norway after receiving a cancer diagnosis before the age of 18 years. It is of utmost importance that these individuals are offered lifelong medical care and follow-up after their cancer treatment.
