Early-onset unusual second cancers – More nightmare in a resource-constrained setting: A report from Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

AbstractSecond cancers are not quite common in the pediatric age group, and they are described as histologically distinct cancers from the initial cancer. This study aimed to report the occurrence of second cancers among a cohort of children treated for cancers in Lagos, Nigeria. The report was compiled from the Department of Pediatrics, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, between January 2015 and June 2017. Ethical approval was obtained from the hospital's Research and Ethics Committee. Parental consent was also obtained to publish the reports. A total of one hundred and seventy nine children were treated in the period under review for various malignancies and all those on follow up were included. Two children developed second cancers within 15 months of completing treatment. Extensive genetic testing and surveillance is advocated for children treated in resource-limited settings.