Published Paper Details:

Pediatric stomach cancer is an exceedingly rare malignancy with varied incidence rates and outcomes across different regions. This systematic review aims to comprehensively analyze the epidemiology, diagnostic strategies, and treatment modalities for pediatric stomach cancer from 2020 to 2024. A systematic review of literature published between 2020 and 2024 was conducted. Databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Studies were included if they reported on pediatric patients (age 0-18) with stomach cancer, and provided data on epidemiology, diagnostic methods, or treatment outcomes. 10 studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The result showed that incidence of pediatric stomach cancer ranged from 0.3 to 2 per million children annually, with higher rates reported in urban settings. Genetic predispositions, particularly mutations in CDH1 and TP53, were identified as significant risk factors. Endoscopy emerged as the primary diagnostic tool, demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity, while complementary imaging techniques such as MRI and CT scans played crucial roles in staging. Despite these advancements, the median time to diagnosis remained between 2 to 4 months, indicating ongoing challenges in early detection. Treatment involved surgery and chemotherapy, with multimodal approaches showing improved survival outcomes. However, variability in treatment protocols and the occurrence of adverse effects like neutropenia and cardiotoxicity were noted. Studies highlighted the need for standardized treatment protocols and enhanced diagnostic capabilities, particularly in resource-limited settings. This review concluded that underscores the importance of early detection and standardized treatment protocols in managing pediatric stomach cancer. Future research should focus on large-scale, multicentric studies to validate genetic findings and optimize treatment strategies, as well as addressing barriers to early diagnosis in different regions.