The majority of patients undergoing treatment at the Pequeno Príncipe Oncology and Hematology Service are assisted by the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS, abbreviation in Portuguese), which does not cover such tests. The Hospital is able to offer this cutting-edge technology to everyone, democratizing access to qualified assistance, due to the support it receives from society. It was through donations, under the National Program to Support Oncology Care (known as Pronon), that the institution was able to establish the Pequeno Príncipe Advanced Diagnostic Center – Genomic Laboratory and continuously purchase the necessary supplies to carry out these tests.

Opened in 2018, the unit operates on three fronts: Immunophenotyping, pathological anatomy and molecular biology. By concentrating these areas in the same environment, it becomes complete and even more resolute, as it allows professionals from different areas to discuss and delve deeper into the cases.

“Molecular exams are extremely important in the treatment of hematological and oncological diseases, as they provide information for better therapeutic guidance, minimization of undesirable side effects, reduced expenses and increased life expectancy and cure,” highlights the hematologist Edna Kakitani Carboni. Learn the story of one patient who have her treatment benefited with this type of exam. The details can be checked in the main article of 2024 May edition of the Pequeno Príncipe News.

In this newsletter edition, you will also check the articles below. Click on the links to read the full length texts.

• More than 70% of children and adolescents who receive school support at the Pequeno Príncipe attend public schools. This is shown in an unprecedented survey carried out by the Education and Culture Sector team at the Hospital. This data reinforces the importance of offering this type of care during hospitalization, as, in addition to being a right established by the Brazilian Child and Adolescent Statute (ECA, abbreviation in Portuguese), it is a fundamental practice to maintain the bond with school, avoiding dropout or difficulty resuming routine after discharge. Read more details about the survey.
• Research seeks to develop a more accurate method for diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of tumors of the central nervous system (CNS). CNS tumors have a higher incidence in children up to 10 years of age and represent 30% of deaths from childhood cancer in Brazil. Currently, through precision medicine, it is possible to understand the tumor in detail. One project developed at the Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Research Institute proposes a new method to deeply understand the characteristics of central nervous system tumors, using molecular analysis on liquid biopsy samples. Learn more about the research project.