Cancer Predispositions Working Group
The Cancer Predispositions Working Group, part of the Swiss Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (SSPHO), addresses heritable conditions elevating cancer risk in childhood and adolescence. Despite over 40 identified predispositions, awareness and tailored care are lacking for the approximately 10% of children affected.
Cellular Therapy Working Group
The Cellular Therapy Working Group (CTWG) within SSPHO focuses on cellular therapies like stem cell transplantation, CAR-T cell therapy, and gene therapy. Goals include harmonizing care standards, cell collection, monitoring, and fostering collaboration among Swiss pediatric centers for innovative research and education.
Hematological Malignancies Working Group
The Hematological Malignancies Working Group, part of the Swiss Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (SSPHO), focuses on pediatric leukemia and lymphoma, the most common childhood cancer. While substantial progress has been made, challenges persist in high-risk subgroups due to molecular heterogeneity.
Neuro-Oncology Working Group
Childhood and adolescent central nervous system (CNS) tumors, constituting 25% of new diagnoses, exhibit heterogeneity. Advances in molecular diagnostics, reflected in the 2021 WHO classification, offer additional treatment options. A multidisciplinary team is vital for effective management due to the high mortality and morbidity in this age group, despite improving survival rates.
Sarcoma Working Group
We strive to enhance Swiss sarcoma care for childhood and adolescent cancer patients with soft tissue or bone sarcomas. Our initiatives include a national advisory forum, participation in international studies, research support, and collaborative follow-up care efforts.
Survivorship and Long-Term Follow-up Care Working Group
The Long-Term Follow-up Care Working Group operates within the Swiss Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (SSPHO). Survivorship, a crucial aspect of cancer care, spans various domains, necessitating harmonization across centers for improved consistency and collaboration.
Young SSPHO Working Group
Young SSPHO, a formal working group under SSPHO, represents junior members in pediatric hematology-oncology. It aims to enhance community bonds, engage members in professional society activities, and address issues like clinical training and scientific collaboration, contributing to future PHO leadership in Switzerland.
General Rules
Membership:
All ordinary and extraordinary SSPHO members can participate as a member of a Working Group. Preferably, each Swiss pediatric hematology-oncology center should be represented as well as Young Investigators. Also, representatives from related disciplines like surgery, pathology, radiology, radiation oncology, rehabilitation, etc. should be involved. The Chair and Vice-Chair must be actively involved in the field of survivorship care on national and international levels. Importantly, working group members are obliged to actively participate in the group.
Meetings:
Meetings with all working group members will take place every 3 months via an online tool (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams). In-person meetings will take place during the SSPHO/SPOG (Swiss Pediatric Oncology Group) meetings if needed. All working group members should participate in the quarterly meetings whenever possible. The national advisory and discussion forum will be scheduled monthly. Application of cases will be made possible via an application form sent per email to the Chair. The Chair and Vice-Chair are responsible for these meetings. Additional meetings can be scheduled for sub-groups or projects within the working groups, where only selected members are involved.