Comprehensive Oncology Insights: Pediatric Trends, Therapeutic Advances, and Caregiver Challenges in Developing Settings

This multidisciplinary research compilation explores cancer from five distinct but interconnected perspectives epidemiology, biomedical engineering, pharmacology, caregiver psychology, and phytotherapy to enhance cancer care, especially in resource-limited settings. An epidemiological study in Erbil, Kurdistan, analyzed 374 pediatric cancer cases, revealing leukemia and lymphomas as the most prevalent types, thereby informing regional healthcare planning. A finite element simulation study optimized microwave ablation for breast cancer treatment, showing that single-slot antennas at specific frequencies (2.45 and 4.47 GHz) generated the most effective necrotic zones. A clinical observational study in Hyderabad reported 325 drug-related problems (DRPs) in 107 cancer patients, with 81.5% being adverse drug reactions (ADRs), predominantly hematological, especially among elderly males and those on monotherapy. A qualitative study in Swat documented the emotional, economic, and social burdens on caregivers of esophageal cancer patients undergoing PEG tube feeding, highlighting unmet training and support needs. Lastly, phytochemical and in silico analysis of Murraya paniculata leaf extracts demonstrated strong antioxidant activity and promising estrogen receptor-binding potential, positioning it as a low-toxicity candidate for anticancer drug development. Together, these studies underscore the need for integrative, patient-centered approaches that combine modern science with traditional knowledge to address the complex challenges of cancer care in low-resource environments.