Background

Solid tumors in childhood and adolescents comprise a heterogeneous group of tumors (outside CNS), that account for approximately 30% of newly diagnosed malignancies in this patient group. The most common entities are embryonal tumors, like neuroblastoma and nephroblastoma, but also germ cell tumors, Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis and a variety of other, more rare tumors, belong to this group. Children and adolescents with solid tumors require a multidisciplinary team approach, as treatment often includes different modalities such as chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiotherapy. Significant progress has been made in the diagnosis and management of these tumors over the past decades, also because of collaborative work within international specialized groups. 

Core Aims

1.1   To facilitate the best possible care and research for pediatric patients with solid or rare tumors (w/o CNS, w/o sarcoma)

1.2  To evaluate and prepare treatment protocols, registries, and biological databanks for pediatric solid tumor patients, which are then proposed to SPOG for national opening

1.3  Education

Sub Aims

2.1 To collaborate with international trial groups (e.g. SIOPEN, SIOPEL, SIOP-RTSG, MAKEI/SIOP GCT, STEP, LCH, GPOH-MET and others)

2.2 To foster networking on a national level and establish a regular exchange and offer a platform to discuss challenging cases

2.3 To motivate and include younger colleagues to participate in the working group

2.4 To foster interdisciplinary involvement of Switzerland based surgeons, radiologists, pathologists and radiotherapists in the respective research groups

2.5  To foster transborder research and scientific exchange

2.6 To improve parent and patient involvement in ongoing research and treatment recommendations 

Overview all Working Groups