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Abstract
[2] Although childhood cancers are relatively rare, comprising about 1% of the total cancer cases in developed countries,[3] they are second leading cause of deaths surpassed only by accidents. [4] More than 80% of all childhood cancer cases are occurring in low- and middle-income countries. [6] Population data on incidence and pattern of childhood cancers in India come mainly from population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) being run under the National Cancer Registry Programme of the Indian Council of Medical Research. [8] Among boys, the highest relative proportion of childhood cancers was reported by Delhi (5.4%) whereas lowest proportion was seen in Nagaland whereas among girls, highest proportion of childhood cancers was reported by PBCR Naharalgaun (3.5%) covering eight districts of Western zone of Arunachal Pradesh and lowest proportion seen in East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya (0.5%). [8] Cancer incidence rates for childhood cancers are generally expressed per million children. The...