Sidra Medicine recently welcomed a delegation from the International Society of Paediatric Oncology Renal Tumour Study Group (SIOP-RTSG) to Qatar.
This is the first SIOP-RTSG pathology panel meeting to be held in Qatar presided by Prof Gordan Vujanic, senior attending physician, Paediatric Pathology at Sidra Medicine. He is also the chair of the SIOP-RTSG pathology panel and globally oversees SIOP trials and studies in renal 
tumours. 
SIOP is the only global multidisciplinary society dedicated to paediatric and adolescent cancer. The SIOP approach to renal tumours is to treat them pre-operatively with chemotherapy, with the aim of reducing the risk of tumour rupture and inducing better stage distribution as well as assessing the tumour’s response to treatment. The approach can result in the need for less extensive post-operative therapy without compromising positive outcomes. 
Under the leadership of Dr Catherine Cole, division chief, Paediatric Oncology, who will be working closely with Prof Vujanic and Dr William Mifsud (junior attending physician, Paediatric Pathology), Sidra Medicine will treat children with renal tumours according to the latest SIOP 
protocols.
Prof Vujanic said, “While tumours in children are rare, renal tumours are amongst the most common solid tumours. Current therapies are associated with an increased risk of long-term disability, including infertility, deafness, second cancers, restricted growth and heart disease. By following SIOP protocols, it means that our team here at Sidra Medicine can offer the best possible customised care for our young patients not only in Qatar but patient cases that are referred to us internationally. It will also minimise the need to travel abroad for consultations as we will be collaborating with global experts including physicians, pathologists and scientists in the field of paediatric 
renal tumours.”
Prof Vujanic is also the leading expert on the effect of pre-operative chemotherapy on renal tumours and is the main author of several important papers that greatly affected the way these tumours are treated around the world, including classification which is the base for treatment. 
There are currently over 400 SIOP centres across the world with more than 1,500 members worldwide including doctors, nurses, other healthcare professionals, scientists and 
researchers.
Through Prof Vujanic’s role as the chair of SIOP-RTSG Pathology Panel, Sidra Medicine has become one of two leading centres globally for paediatric renal tumour diagnostic pathology, together with Lurie Children’s 
Hospital of Chicago.
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