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).