ABSTRACT
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor and has been linked to known cancer predisposition syndromes. We report a case of medulloblastoma of a 12-year-old Indo-Trinidadian female with a strong family history of colorectal carcinoma. In collaboration with the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative (SCI), her tumor was confirmed to be a WHO grade 4 medulloblastoma - Wnt subtype. Genetic testing further confirmed the presence of a pathogenic APC gene variant [c.3183_3187del (p.Gln1062*)] which led to a diagnosis of Turcot syndrome type 2. The index patient received multimodal therapy which included surgery, radiation and chemotherapy and is currently post end-of-treatment and in remission. This case report aims to highlight the complexity of diseases and the need for expertise in identifying them in low-and-middle income countries, the need for access to specialized testing and the benefits of collaborating between low-and-middle income and high-income countries when managing complex oncology patients.
ABSTRACT
In 2013, the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative (SCI) was formalised among The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, the University of the West Indies, and Ministries of Health in six Caribbean countries (Barbados, The Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago). The aim was to improve the outcomes and quality of life of children (<18 years) with cancer and blood disorders in the partner countries. Core activities included filling a human resource gap by training paediatric haematologists/oncologists and specialised registered nurses; improving capacity to diagnose and treat diverse haematology/oncology cases; developing and maintaining paediatric oncology databases; creating ongoing advocacy activities with international agencies, decision makers, and civil society; and establishing an integrated administration, management, and funding structure. We describe core program components, successes, and challenges to inform others seeking to improve health service delivery in a multidisciplinary and complex partnership.