ERN PaedCan

Paediatric Cancer European Reference Network

Project Coordinator: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Ruth Ladenstein (MD), MBA, cPM, Children´s Cancer Research Institute/Studies and Statistics for Integrated Research and Projects

ERN-PaedCan Members

  • Ghent University Hospital, Hôpital Universiataire des Enfants Reine Fabiola, UZ Leuven, BEL
  • University Hospital Brno, University Hospital Motol, CZECopenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, DNK
  • Kuopio University Hospital, Tampere University Hospital, Turku University Hospital, the Hospital District of Southwest, FIN
  • Hôpital Bicetre, Hôpital Trousseau, Hôpital Universitaire Necker- Enfants maladies, Institut Curie, Institut d´hematologie et d´oncologie pédiatrique (IHOPE), Institut Gustave
  • Roussy, Fondation Ophtalmologique Adolphe de Rothschild, FRA
  • Hannover Medical School, Dr von Hauner Children´s Hospital, University Hospital Munich, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (CAU),
  • Klinikum Dortmund GmbH, Klinikum Stuttgart-Olgahospital, University Children´s Hospital Tübingen, University Medical Center Freiburg, University Hospital Gießen-
  • Marburg, University Hospital Bonn, DEU
  • Semmelweis University, HUN
  • Department of Pediatrics-University of Milano-Bicocca/Fundation MBBM, at San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Meyer Children´s Hospital Florence,
  • Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesú, Policlinico San Matteo, Fondazione IRCCS Pavia, Azienda Ospedialiera di Padova (AOP), AziendaOspedaliera Universitaria Senese,
  • Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino- S.C. Oncoematologia Pediatrica e Centro Trapianti, Presidio Ospedale Infantile regina
  • Margherita, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Maria della Misericordia di Perugia, ITA
  • Children´s Clinical University Hospital, Riga, LVA
  • Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos, LTU
  • Stichting VU-VUmc, Erasmus MC: Sophia Children´s Hospital, NDL
  • Copernicus Medical Company LTD, T. Maciniak Lower Silesian Specialist Hospital-Emergency Hospital,
  • University Children Hospital in Lublin (UCHL), University Clinical Center Gdansk, POL
  • Centro Hospitalar e Universitario de Coimbra, Instituto Português de Onclogia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, EPE, PRT
  • University Medical Centre Ljubljana, SVN
  • Hospital de Sant Joan de Dèu, Hospital Universitari Vall d´ Hebron, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe Spain, Complejo Hospitalario Regional Virgen del Rocío, ESP
  • Karolinska University Hospital, Skâne University Hospital, SWE
  • Birmingham Children´s Hospital- NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street Hospital- NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Manchester Children´s Hospital, GBR

Project Abstract


European Reference Networks are virtual networks involving healthcare providers across Europe. They aim to tackle complex or rare diseases and conditions that require highly specialised treatment and a concentration of knowledge and resources. There are 24 ERNS involving 25 European countries plus Norway, over 300 hospitals with over 900 healthcare units and covering all major disease groups.


The mission of the European Reference Network on Paediatric Cancer (ERN-PAEDCAN) is to improve outcomes of childhood cancer and malignant haematological diseases by reducing the current inequalities in different member states. Comparative population-based cancer registry research has provided robust evidence for significant inequalities in survival from childhood cancer across Europe: the difference may be as much as 30% units, with worse outcomes in Eastern Europe. Despite a reduction in the geographical differences in the period 2005–09, the former socialist economies still have roughly 20% excess mortality from cancer in children compared with the rest of Europe. The PaedCan ERN aims to provide paramount requirements for ‘Cross-border healthcare’ allowing the provision of healthcare to children with cancer in a Member State other than the Member State of affiliation. We identify target groups with conditions requiring a particular concentration of resources or expertise, especially when the expertise with certain cancer conditions is rare and case volume low. Taking into account the potential burden on families seeking cross border health care ERN-PAEDCAN intends to establish mechanisms to facilitate movement of information and knowledge rather than patients. We aim to extend local and national ‘tumour board’ culture to the cross border level with identified and required ICT tools and eHealth networks.


High-quality, accessible and cost-effective healthcare for childhood cancer are achieved by strengthening the integration of pre-existing knowledge and expertise, and fostering stronger cooperation between patients, professionals and healthcare authorities. The innovative contribution of ERN-PAEDCAN is a clear roadmap to approved expert referral sites and tumour advisory boards for healthcare providers fulfilling our vision of a more supportive environment for children with cancer with special needs by integrating pre-existing networks and knowledge across borders.

Funding

Funded under the 3rd Health Programme by the European Commission, call: HP-ERN-SGA-2016, Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency (CHAFEA)
Duration: 01.03.2017 – 28.02.2022
Link: http://paedcan.ern-net.eu/
Further information about the European Reference Networks: https://ec.europa.eu/health/ern_en