Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40308500›Full record

ReviewFrontiers in oncology2025

Needs, status and future directions in palliative care for children with cancer: an insight into the Italian situation.

Cosimo Chelazzi, Daniele Marelli, Paola Mantovani, Francesca Franchi, Cesare Vezzoli

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Frontiers in oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Cosimo ChelazziDipartimento di Specialità Medico-Chirurgiche, Scienze Radiologiche e Sanità Pubblica, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Daniele MarelliDipartimento di Specialità Medico-Chirurgiche, Scienze Radiologiche e Sanità Pubblica, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Paola MantovaniS.C. Cure Palliative e ADI/S.S. Cure Palliative Pediatriche, ASST Spedali Civili Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Francesca FranchiS.C. Cure Palliative e ADI/S.S. Cure Palliative Pediatriche, ASST Spedali Civili Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Cesare VezzoliS.C. Cure Palliative e ADI/S.S. Cure Palliative Pediatriche, ASST Spedali Civili Brescia, Brescia, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Pediatric palliative care (PPC) is an essential component of holistic care for children with cancer, addressing the physical, emotional, psychosocial and existential needs of children and their families. This narrative review explores the status, challenges, and future directions of PPC for children with cancer, specifically focusing on the Italian context. Despite advancements in legislation, such as Italy's Law 38/2010, access to PPC remains uneven, particularly in underserved regions. Children with cancer experience a high symptom burden, including pain, fatigue, and dyspnea, which is often inadequately managed due to late referrals and misconceptions equating PPC with end-of-life care. Organizational barriers, such as limited trained personnel and inadequate service models are linked to delayed integration. Physician discomfort, family resistance, and uncertainty regarding referral timing also contribute to delayed referral. International studies highlight regional disparities. However, opportunities for improvement exist, including workforce development, targeted education, and public awareness campaigns. Models of care, such as home-based services, telemedicine, and floating clinics, demonstrate potential for addressing gaps and optimizing resource allocation. Data from Italian centers further emphasize the importance of early PPC integration to improve outcomes, reduce unnecessary intensive care interventions, and ensure a better quality of life. This review underscores the need for tailored, multidisciplinary PPC models, proactive screening tools, and sustained policy support to ensure equitable and comprehensive care for all children with cancer.

Indexed as

early integrationhealthcare modelspediatric oncologypediatric palliative caresymptom management

Identifiers

PMID40308500
PMCPMC12040927

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.