Survival after childhood cancer has been improving since the late 1970s in mos t developed countries.The Childhood Cancer Registry of Piedmont has been record ing malignant tumors in children(0-14 years)throughout Piedmont since 1967.T he present paper is based on the records of the 2,970 children diagnosed during the period 1970-2001;survival rates are estimated up to June 30,2004.Based on records from the Registrar Offices of the relevant towns of residence,1,698 ch ildren were reported to be alive,1,252 deceased,and 20 were of unknown vital s tatus.Over the period 1970-2001,5-year survival rates for all tumor types co mbined showed a statistically significant increasing trend(P < 0.0001).For acu te lymphocytic leukemia,the survival rate increased steadily from 24.7%(95%CI 15.0-34.3)in 1970-1974 to 87.8%(82.1-93.6)in 1995-1999.Five-year survi val rates for central nervous system tumors increased from 32.8%(21.0-44.6)in 1970-1974 to 80.3%(72.6-88.0)in 1990-1994 and decreased thereafter.Age of less than 1 year at time of diagnosis was a favorable prognostic factor for neu roblastoma and ganglioneuroblastoma.The extent of disease at diagnosis was rela ted to prognosis for neuroblastoma and ganglioneuroblastoma and other selected s olid tumors.A white blood cell count greater than 50,000×106 cells/l was assoc iated with decreased survival in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia and ac ute non-lymphocytic leukemia.We have found positive trends in survival for all tumor types in Piedmont,similar to those reported by other population-based c ancer registries.Age,extent of disease,and white blood cell count at diagnosi s are prognostic factors for selected cancer sites.
