Cancer Research and Treatment

Original Articles

Trends in Incidence and Survival of Childhood and Adolescent Cancer in Korea, 2001–2020: Comparison with U.S. SEER Data: Jin Kyung Suh, Eun Hye Park, Meerim Park, Jun Ah Lee, Kyu-won Jung, Hyeon Jin Park; Received July 10, 2025 Accepted December 30, 2025 Published online January 2, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2025.722 [Accepted]

Abstract PDF: Purpose
Childhood cancers are rare but clinically significant. Monitoring incidence and survival trends is essential for evaluating progress in cancer control and identifying areas for improvement.
Materials and Methods
We analyzed cancer incidence and survival trends among individuals aged 0–19 years in Korea using data from the Korea Central Cancer Registry from 2001 to 2020. Cancer types were classified according to the International Classification of Childhood Cancer, third edition (ICCC-3). Age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) and annual percent changes (APCs) were calculated. Relative survival rates (RSRs) were estimated and compared with data from the US.
Results
A total of 34,223 cancer cases were identified during the study period. The overall ASR was 151.3 per million person-years, with a significant increasing trend (APC 1.5%). Leukemias were the most common diagnostic group (ASR 43.7), followed by central nervous system tumors and lymphomas. Between 2001–2010 and 2011–2020, the 5-year and 10-year RSRs improved from 75.2% to 84.8% and from 72.7% to 82.7%, respectively. The largest survival gains were observed in leukemia (14.9 percentage points) and neuroblastoma (13.1 percentage points). Compared to SEER data, Korea showed similar overall survival trends, although differences remained by cancer type and age group.
Conclusion
The incidence of childhood and adolescent cancers in Korea has increased, while survival has significantly improved over the past two decades. These findings highlight substantial progress in pediatric cancer care, while underscoring the need for targeted efforts for specific cancer subtypes and age groups.

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Pediatric cancer

Gonadal Function in Female Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer: Hye Young Jin, Jun Ah Lee, Meerim Park, Hyeon Jin Park; Cancer Res Treat. 2023;55(3):992-1000. Published online January 31, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2022.1518

Purpose
Childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) are at risk for premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). The aim of this study is to evaluate ovarian function and associated health outcomes in female adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer.
Materials and Methods
Sixty-nine female CCSs were enrolled. Medical records of CCSs were retrospectively reviewed. The subjects were categorized into three groups according to follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (cutoff, 12, 40 IU/L). Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) level less than 1 ng/mL was considered low AMH level.
Results
Of 69 subjects, 14 (20.3%) had POI and 14 (20.3%) had FSH levels between 12 and 40 IU/L. Forty-one of 69 (59.4%) had normal FSH levels. Pelvic irradiation and stem cell transplantation (SCT) were more frequently performed in subjects with POI (p=0.001 and p < 0.001). AMH levels were remarkably low when FSH levels were over 12 IU/L (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, cyclophosphamide equivalent dose and SCT were significant treatment factors for developing low AMH levels (p=0.005 and p=0.002, respectively). Total, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly different in three groups according to FSH levels (p=0.047, p=0.030, and p=0.045). Z-score of femur neck bone mineral density was significantly reduced when FSH levels were increased (p=0.011).
Conclusion
Gonadal dysfunction is common in CCSs. Gonadal function was associated with a few treatment factors known to increase the risk of POI. Regular monitoring of gonadal function is needed for better health outcomes.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Sodium nitrite impairs reproduction in female mice by disrupting ovarian steroid hormone synthesis and lipid metabolic pathways
Yuchen Liu, Ying Liu, Yang Liu, Jiwei Liu, Chuncheng Liu, Lu Wang, Xiaoying He, Libing Ma, Shujun Liu
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.2026; 309: 119631. CrossRef
Impact of cancer treatment on fertility in female childhood and adolescent cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Min Wang, Lijian Cao, Yunlong Zhang, Kai Huang, Jingru Huang, Shan Wang
BMC Cancer.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Evaluation of ovarian functions in girls treated for hematological malignancy
Şule Çalışkan Kamış, Begül Yağcı, Ayşe Selcan Koç, Metin Çil
Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Impact of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for benign and malignant haematologic and non-haematologic disorders on fertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Angela Vidal, Cristina Bora, Andrea Jarisch, Janna Pape, Susanna Weidlinger, Tanya Karrer, Michael von Wolff
Bone Marrow Transplantation.2025; 60(5): 645. CrossRef
Systematic Review of the Gonadotoxicity and Risk of Infertility of Soft Tissue Sarcoma Chemotherapies in Pre- and Postpubertal Females and Males
Marcel Steinmann, Anita Rietschin, Flavia Pagano, Tanya Karrer, Attila Kollár, Susanna Weidlinger, Michael von Wolff
Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology.2024; 13(6): 803. CrossRef
Bone Mineral Density in Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Meta-Analysis
Lilly Velentza, Panagiotis Filis, Mari Wilhelmsson, Per Kogner, Nikolas Herold, Lars Sävendahl
Pediatrics.2024;[Epub] CrossRef

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Geographical Variations in the Incidence of Childhood Cancer: Duk Hee Lee, Hai Rim Shin, Kang Weon Park, Yoon Ok Ahn; J Korean Cancer Assoc. 1998;30(3):425-434.

Abstract PDF: PURPOSE
The incidence of childhood cancer in the Korea was studied to compare incidence rates between countries and between different regions in Korea.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A tatal of 2,891 cases, registered in the Natinal Cancer Registy from 1993 to 1995, were analysied. Death Certificate Only(DCO) cases were not included. DCO % was estimated about 22%. We calculated the incidence rates according to the International Classification of Childhood Cancer. The age-standardized rates by diagnostic group was compared with those of other countries. The total incidence of childhood cancer were compared among 34 cities in Korea with the rates in the rest of the nation.
RESULTS
The crude incidence of all childhood cancer was 94.1 per million. The cumulative incidence to age 15 was 0.137% and the age-standardized rate, calculated using the world standard population, was 96.1 per million. In the incidence rates by diagnostic group, we observed many similarities with other countries in East Asia. The age-standardized rates of E, F and AL cities were significantly higher(p<0.05). In the 0-4 age group, F, AL and BB cities showed higher rates(p<0.05). In 5~9 years and 10~14 years, F city only had higher rates(p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Further study will be needed in order to investigate possible environmental factors which may account for the regional variations.

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