join our fight against (dsrct)

Help us make a difference in the lives of children battling Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor (DSRCT). Your donation supports critical research and empowers young scholars affected by this rare pediatric cancer. Together, we can bring hope and create a brighter future.

What is

DSRCT?

Maurice Anthony Campbell, II

IMPACT ON YOUNG ADULTS

Cancer in adolescents and young adults (AYAs), aged 15-39, presents unique challenges due to developmental, psychosocial, and healthcare access factors. AYAs like Maurice face interruptions to their education, career aspirations, and personal development due to cancer treatments.

Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor (DSRCT) is a rare and aggressive type of soft tissue sarcoma that primarily affects children and young adults. It was first described in medical literature in 1989, and since then, it has been recognized as one of the most challenging pediatric cancers to diagnose and treat. Despite advancements in medical research, much about DSRCT remains unknown, necessitating further awareness and support for research.

DSRCT is extremely rare, with fewer than 200 cases reported annually in the United States. It predominantly affects males, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 4:1. The average age at diagnosis is around 22 years, although it can occur in both younger children and older adults.

Given its rarity, DSRCT is classified as an orphan disease, which means it receives limited attention and funding for research. This scarcity of resources underscores the importance of awareness and advocacy to drive research efforts and improve outcomes for those affected by this devastating disease.

Emily Slotkin, MD

Pediatric Oncologist

I am a pediatric oncologist on the MSK Kids team who specializes in the treatment of children with sarcomas and other solid tumors. With our strong history in the treatment of sarcomas at Memorial Sloan Kettering, we see one of the largest groups of children and young adults with sarcomas in the world. My research focuses on identifying and testing new treatments for desmoplastic small round cell tumor and other sarcomas affecting adolescents and young adults, through translational laboratory work and clinical trials.

READ MORE

Children a Day

Each day, 43 kids in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with cancer.

Approximately 1 in 285 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer before their 20th birthday.



%

Childhood Cancer Survivors

More than 95% of childhood cancer survivors experience significant health-related issues by the age of 45 because of current treatment options.

%

Funding for Childhood Cancer Research

Only 4% of the billions of dollars the government spends annually on cancer research is directed towards treating childhood cancer.

More Statistics and Epidemiology

Rarity Among African Americans

DSRCT is rare across all populations, but even more so among African Americans. Statistical data shows that African Americans represent a small fraction of the total cases. A study published in the Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology noted that the incidence rate among African Americans is significantly lower compared to Caucasians and other ethnic groups. Specifically, African Americans account for less than 10% of the diagnosed DSRCT cases in the United States.

Impact on Young Adults

DSRCT is extremely rare, with fewer than 200 cases reported annually in the United States. It predominantly affects males, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 4:1. The average age at diagnosis is around 22 years, although it can occur in both younger children and older adults. Given its rarity, DSRCT is classified as an orphan disease, which means it receives limited attention and funding for research. This scarcity of resources underscores the importance of awareness and advocacy to drive research efforts and improve outcomes for those affected by this devastating disease.