Methods
The objective of this experiment it so to gather PI and TDI of Childhood
CNS tumors in Tamil Nadu, South India. Care for children with brain
tumours requires not only diagnostic and treatment infrastructure but
also supportive infrastructure for rehabilitation and social
re-integration. According to the NITI Aayog’s SDG India Health Index
2020-21, which ranks the progress of achieving health outcomes, Tamil
Nadu ranked as the third-best state in the country 28.
It has also pioneered several new approaches to improve access to
high-quality health services at an affordable price. Furthermore, the
previous qualitative analysis did not cover cancer cases in Tamil Nadu.
Based on these factors, Tamil Nadu was the ideal state to conduct this
investigation and to pilot methods for early diagnosis.
Data for this retrospective study was collected via a questionnaire
across eight large tertiary hospitals located in large cities in Tamil
Nadu providing specialist paediatric cancer care. It consisted of 14
questions where doctors were asked to record the date of symptom onset,
first presentation of healthcare, date of diagnosis, imaging and lastly
the date of when a biopsy was conducted. Doctors were also asked to
detail the referral pathway from the first healthcare professional seen
by the patient for initial symptoms until diagnosis. Distance between
the patients’ home and the hospital where they were diagnosed was
recorded. Other questions asked include symptoms of the patient at onset
and at the time of diagnosis. Data on tumour type, location and stage
was also recorded.