PaedCan - European Reference Network for Pediatric Cancer

The average survival of children with cancer has improved in recent decades. For some subtypes the improvements in survival were particularly significant. However, this is not true for all pediatric cancers. Furthermore, differences in survival rates remain comparing the different European regions with worst outcomes in Eastern European countries.
The ERN PaedCan aims to improve access to high quality care for children with cancer, especially for those conditions that require specialized experience and sophisticated instruments, not ubiquitously present in Europe. The ERN PaedCan was born from a previous project funded by the European Community ENNCA, Pan Care and ExPO-r-NET. The ERN PaedCan is based on a network of highly specialized centers which collaborating can increase their expertise and visibility towards the medical community and the patients themselves. A tumorboard has been created which, using modern telematic communication techniques, allows to share experiences and therapeutic opinions. The ERN PaedCan aims to improve the survival of children with cancer and their quality of life, by implementing cooperation, research and training. The ultimate goal is to reduce, among the various member states of the European Union, the survival inequalities of children with cancer and the differences in the diagnostic-therapeutic capabilities of the various health systems.