Lymphoblastic Lymphoma (LBL)

Cancer is a leading cause of illness and death among children, adolescents, and young adults(CAYAs), especially in low- and middle-income countries(LMICs), where access to timely diagnosis and treatment is often limited. As a result, patients in these settings may experience higher rates of treatment complications, interruptions, and poorer outcomes compared with those in high-income countries (HICs). This is a prospective, multicenter observational study that will follow children, adolescents, and young adults(CAYAs) with cancer who are receiving routine care at participating hospitals in low - and middle - income countries(LMICs). The study does not involve experimental treatments or changes to standard medical care. Information will be collected from medical records and from questionnaires that address access to care and social factors affecting treatment. By describing treatment outcomes and the challenges patients and families face during cancer care, this study aims to provide data that can help inform future efforts to improve access to care and cancer outcomes in resource-limited settings.

Despite advances in cancer treatment, significant disparities in outcomes persist between high-income countries (HICs) and low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Around 80% of children with cancer live in LMICs, where they face challenges such as delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, comorbidities, distance to treatment, financial barriers, and limited access to risk-adapted therapies. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL)/lymphoblastic lymphoma(LBL), for example, is one of the greatest success stories in pediatric oncology, however, such improvements are not evenly distributed worldwide, and the outcomes for leukemia patients are poorer in LMICs compared to HICs, primarily due to reduced access to quality healthcare. This study aims to assess cancer treatment outcomes in LMICs, focusing on acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma. The findings will inform future studies to implement evidence-based interventions that improve care quality and reduce treatment failures through targeted strategies.