INTRODUCTION
Globally, there is documented variation regarding presenting features,
biology and outcome for childhood leukaemia according to different
ethnic, geographical and socioeconomic groups1-8.
Little is known about the impact of ethnicity and geographical
distribution on survival rates for childhood leukaemia in Australia.
Previous observational studies in South Australia (SA) conducted over
successive periods identified a trend for more complex leukaemia with
greater treatment resistance among Aboriginal children and in children
from remote areas1,2, while an Australian registry
reported significantly lower five-year overall survival among Aboriginal
compared to non-Aboriginal children3.
Epidemiological studies have shown the likelihood of survival following
childhood cancer diagnosis generally decreases the further an individual
lives from a major population centre and in areas with greater
socioeconomic disadvantage9. Contributing factors are
yet to be identified, but may be linked to reduced access to treatment
and late detection9.
The purpose of this study was to compare disease presentation and
outcome for acute leukaemia in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children
and to assess the impact of remoteness of residence and area-based
socioeconomic disadvantage in SA, Northern Territory (NT) and Western
Australia (WA).