Letter to editor: Palliative care: The hidden loop of caring for Iranian children with cancer

The growing number of children with chronic diseases is a global issue. Cancer is one of the most important chronic diseases in children. According to WHO, the number of children with cancer varies from 50 to 200 cases per million children worldwide .However, the incidence of childhood cancers in Iranian girls and boys is reported to be 48-112 and 51-141 per million children, respectively .Cancer has many psychological and physical consequences for both the child and his or her family. One of the most important concerns about children with cancer is attention to their quality of life and its promotion .Palliative care is one of the most important and effective ways of improving the quality of life . Children's palliative care is unique in each age group due to their certain developmental stages. For this reason, WHO has provided a separate definition for it: “palliative care for children is the active total care of the child's body, mind, and spirit, and also involves giving support to the family” .In Iran, the main problem in the treatment-care system in palliative care of cancer patients is the lack of a structure and framework for the members of the health group, such as nurses .In Iran, palliative care is a new concept, and there is no systematized program for this type of service in accordance with current needs . Palliative care for children with cancer in Iran is very important. Currently, the only institution that provides palliative care for pain management in children with cancer is The Mahak Society to Support Children Suffering from Cancer. Considering that there is no palliative care system for children in Iran, and since the number of children with cancer is on the rise, the establishment of a palliative care system for children with cancer is an apparent and important need.