Childhood Cancer Shouldn't Be a ' Sad Ending' Story

Paediatric specialists remind that childhood cancer is not a ’ death sentence’ as survival rates can reach 80-90% when treated appropriately and early. However, limited attention to childhood cancer in Indonesia remains a significant challenge. Dr. Mururul Aisyi, a paediatric haematology-oncology consultant at Dharmais Cancer Hospital, stated that childhood cancer should receive greater attention as it is generally more responsive to treatment than adult cancer. ‘Childhood cancer should not be a ’sad ending’ story; in developed countries, overall survival rates reach 80-90%,’ Dr Aisy said during the 6th Siloam Oncology Summit 2026. She added that lives are not just numbers, and efforts must be made to equalise childhood cancer survival rates with those in developed nations. One of the major challenges in treating childhood cancer is cases no longer responsive to standard chemotherapy or relapse, requiring more specific, personalised therapies based on genetic profiles. Dr. Hikari Ambara Sjakti, a paediatric haematology-oncology consultant at RSCM, said precision medicine and genomic profiling are now crucial in modern childhood cancer treatment. While chemotherapy in Indonesia adheres to international standards, certain cases plateau, necessitating advanced targeted therapies. ‘Cancer cells differ per individual; genetic markers determine treatment response, even with the same cancer type,’ he explained. Genomic profiling aims to map a patient’s genetic traits to determine the most suitable and effective treatment. Meanwhile, Dr. Rian Hidayatullah, a nuclear medicine specialist at Siloam Semanggi MRccc, said childhood cancer is the second leading cause of death in children and adolescents after trauma. He added that advances in diagnostic technology and precision medicine are key to improving survival rates, which exceed 80% in developed countries. Nuclear medicine helps doctors obtain detailed metabolic and molecular information for diagnosis, disease staging, and monitoring treatment response in childhood cancer patients. The 6th Siloam Oncology Summit 2026 was held at Siloam Semanggi MRccc from 22-24 May 2026 in Jakarta, featuring international experts to discuss oncology advancements and modern cancer treatment. Siloam International Hospitals’ CEO Caroline Riady said the summit is part of the organisation’s commitment to strengthen cancer services in Indonesia. ‘Quality cancer care is not solely determined by technology and facilities, but also by the readiness and competence of the healthcare workforce,’ she said. ‘We are committed to strengthening clinical capabilities through continuous learning, inter-disciplinary collaboration, and global medical community connections. Through the Siloam Oncology Summit 2026, we aim to contribute to more advanced cancer care standards so patients in Indonesia and Southeast Asia can access internationally standardised cancer services.’