Mortality and Treatment Outcomes in Pediatric Malignancy Patients with Invasive Cutaneous Fungal Infections: Evaluating the Impact of Combination Therapy and Surgical Debridement, Experience from Referral Oncology Teaching Hospital.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Invasive cutaneous fungal infections (ICFIs) are life-threatening complications in pediatric cancer patients. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of ICFIs among pediatric cancer patients hospitalized at a referral oncology teaching Hospital in Shiraz, Iran.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included pediatric patients with malignancies and suspected ICFIs who were admitted to the Amir Oncology Teaching Hospital between 2015 and 2022. Diagnosis was based on the EORTC/MSG criteria and confirmed using clinical, microbiological, and histopathological methods. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and comparative tests, with a significance threshold of p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Among the 24 patients, 58.3% were boys, and 45.8% were aged 1-5 years. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia was the most common malignancy (27.3%). Mucoralean fungi (36.4%) and Aspergillus (59.1%) were the most common. The overall survival rate was 54.2%. Proven ICFIs had the poorest outcomes, with a survival probability declining to zero by month 26. Patients with lower CRP levels and febrile neutropenia had better outcomes (p < 0.001 and p = 0.041, respectively), but survival rates did not vary significantly according to sex, age, or treatment approach (monotherapy versus combination therapy).

CONCLUSION

In pediatric oncology patients, ICFIs are associated with high mortality, particularly in cases of mucormycosis or proven infections. Improving survival depends on early diagnosis, risk stratification, and rapid management, particularly in patients with neutropenia and fever.