The Early Steps toward Establishing Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Services in Iran a National Experience

Babak Abdolkarimi^{1, 2*}, Niki Panahi³

¹Associate Professor of Pediatric hematology Oncology department, Hakim children’s hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

²Sciencific secretary of Iranian pediatric independent neuro-oncology consortium (IPINOC)

³Ph.D student health care’s management (lean management in oncology branch), Azad Islamic university, science and research branch Tehran, Iran

*Corresponding Author Babak Abdolkarimi, Associate Professor of Pediatric hematology Oncology department, Hakim children’s hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, E-mail: b.abdolkarimi@yahoo.com

Abstract

Pediatric brain tumors are among the most complex and life-threatening malignancies in childhood. Their management requires well-coordinated, multidisciplinary teamwork involving oncology, neurosurgery, neuropathology, radiology, and radiation oncology. In Iran, despite significant progress in pediatric oncology, there had been no defined national structure for pediatric neuro-oncology care. With the vision of Prof. Amir Ali Hamidieh and the initiative of the author, the Iranian Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (IPNOC) was established about five years ago. This editorial summarizes the foundational steps, achievements, and future perspectives of this initiative within the broader global context of pediatric neuro-oncology development in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).