Childhood cancer survival rates in Sweden have shown significant improvement, with five-year survival increasing from 85 to 88 percent according to data from the Swedish Childhood Cancer Registry (Barncancerregistret). The statistics, comparing periods from 2011-2015 to 2016-2020, indicate progress even for some of the most serious diagnoses.
Approximately 350 children are diagnosed with cancer each year in Sweden, making it the leading cause of death among children aged 1 to 14. The improvement is particularly notable for rare but aggressive forms like acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and neuroblastom, a cancer of the nervous system outside the brain.
We're gaining percentage points all the time. Now we see a real increase even for the worst diagnoses, and that's especially gratifying.
Professor Per Kogner, a pediatric oncologist at Karolinska Institutet and Astrid Lindgrens Children's Hospital, stated: 'We're gaining percentage points all the time. Now we see a real increase even for the worst diagnoses, and that's especially gratifying.' He attributed the progress to advances in research and healthcare, including more precise targeted treatments that focus on tumor biology rather than just tumor location.
The development reflects improved diagnostics, targeted therapies, and increased understanding of children's immune systems, according to medical experts. The data suggests that treatments have become more effective while also aiming to reduce long-term side effects for survivors.