Julie D. Saba: pediatric oncology is an amazing field that requires both vigilance and medical acumen

Every day of pediatric oncologists is filled with challenges and a quest to win the day. With a persistently escalating number of pediatric cancer incidence across the world over recent decades, it is believed by many that it is not merely due to the improvements in diagnosis, but also a genuine increase in underlying risk. Statistically, it is estimated that over 175,000 children develop cancer annually in the world, with a mortality rate of approximately 96,000 per year, according to a study of Children With Cancer UK (1). In spite of improved prognosis in pediatric cancers thanks to novel drug therapies, drug delivery systems, and protocol-driven treatments that help standardize therapy, pediatric oncology remains a challenging yet stimulating field with plenty of research opportunities and discoveries every day