Journal of Pediatric Medicine and Child Health

ABSTRACT

Background

Pediatric cancer is increasingly recognized as a significant public health concern in Africa. Despite advances in childhood cancer diagnosis and treatment globally, African countries continue to experience poor survival outcomes due to delayed diagnosis, inadequate oncology infrastructure, limited surveillance systems, and restricted access to essential cancer care services. However, evidence on the epidemiology and emerging trends of pediatric cancers across Africa remains fragmented.

Objective

This scoping review aimed to map and synthesize the available evidence on the epidemiology, incidence trends, geographic distribution, risk factors, surveillance gaps, and priorities for the prevention and control of pediatric cancers in Africa.

Methods

A scoping review methodology guided by the Arksey and O’Malley framework, Joanna Briggs Institute guidance, and PRISMA-ScR recommendations was employed. Literature searches were conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, African Journals Online, and institutional sources including WHO and IARC. Eligible studies focused on pediatric cancers among individuals aged 0–19 years in African settings and addressed epidemiological patterns, surveillance systems, treatment challenges, or prevention strategies.

Results

Sixty-two evidence sources were included in the review. Leukemias, lymphomas, Burkitt lymphoma, Wilms tumor, retinoblastoma, and Kaposi sarcoma were the most frequently reported pediatric malignancies across Africa. Infectious diseases, including HIV, Epstein–Barr virus, malaria, and Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, were strongly associated with several childhood cancers. Major barriers to effective pediatric cancer control included weak cancer registries, limited diagnostic infrastructure, workforce shortages, treatment abandonment, and socioeconomic inequalities. Nevertheless, growing regional collaborations and WHO-led initiatives indicate increasing momentum toward strengthening pediatric oncology systems across the continent.

Conclusion

Pediatric cancer represents an emerging and underrecognized health burden in Africa. Strengthening cancer surveillance, early detection systems, diagnostic capacity, oncology workforce development, and equitable access to treatment is essential for improving childhood cancer outcomes and supporting evidence-based pediatric cancer control strategies across African settings.

Keywords: Pediatric Cancer, Childhood Malignancies, Africa, Cancer Epidemiology, Cancer Surveillance, Burkitt Lymphoma, Pediatric Oncology