RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Pediatric Neuro-oncology in Small Centers – Quality Control of Network Support: The HIT-GBM Experience
JF Anticancer Research
JO Anticancer Res
FD International Institute of Anticancer Research
SP 661
OP 664
VO 31
IS 2
A1 WOLFF, JOHANNES E.A.
A1 DRIEVER, PABLO HERNAIZ
A1 WOLFF, BIRTE
A1 KRAMM, CHRISTOPH M.
A1 KORTMANN, ROLF-DIETER
A1 PIETSCH, TORSTEN
A1 RUTKOWSKI, STEFAN
A1 GNEKOW, ASTRID
YR 2011
UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/31/2/661.abstract
AB Background: The quality of care for children with brain tumors might be higher in large medical centers; however, it may be possible to improve the quality of care received in smaller centers if they join an effective network. Aim: This study used the HIT-GBM® database to compare the quality of care provided to pediatric high-grade glioma and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma patients among various medical centers of differing sizes. Patients and Methods: Overall survival was used as a defining parameter. Indirect measures were the time intervals between the first clinical signs of cancer, initial diagnostic imaging, surgery, or chemotherapy and radiation. Results: From 1995 to 2003, 310 children (137 girls and 173 boys, aged 3 to 18 years old) were registered from 72 medical centers in Europe. Center sizes differed from 1 to 17 registered patients. Center size did not affect survival, nor any of the time intervals studied. Conclusion: There was no evidence that the quality of care differed between smaller and larger centers.