Pediatric brain tumors: An analysis of 5 years of data from a tertiary cancer care center, India

BACKGROUND: Pediatric brain tumors are the most common solid tumors in children and a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in children worldwide. Even though there are enough data about the epidemiology of pediatric brain tumors in western population, there are only a few reports from developing...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Indian journal of cancer 2016-10, Vol.53 (4), p.562
Main Authors: Madhavan, R, Kannabiran, BP, Nithya, AM, Kani, J, Balasubramaniam, P, Shanmugakumar, S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age groups
Biopsy
Brain cancer
Brain research
Cancer therapies
Chemotherapy
Classification
Epidemiology
Headaches
Histology
Hospitals
Medical records
Medical research
Mutation
Nervous system
Oncology
Patients
Pediatrics
Radiation therapy
Studies
Surgery
Tumors
Vomiting
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Summary:BACKGROUND: Pediatric brain tumors are the most common solid tumors in children and a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in children worldwide. Even though there are enough data about the epidemiology of pediatric brain tumors in western population, there are only a few reports from developing countries like India. AIMS: To study the epidemiological patterns of brain tumors in children, to study the patterns of care, and to assess the treatment response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective epidemiological approach is used. The records of children < 18 years registered in our department from August 2006 to July 2011 diagnosed as primary brain tumors are selected. Data regarding age, sex, site of the tumor, clinical features, histology, treatment plan, and treatment response are collected. The World Health Organization classification of neoplasms was adopted. RESULTS: Of 250 cases, females (57%) slightly outnumbered males. The present study revealed that astrocytoma (52%) is the most common brain tumor in childhood. Surgery was the main modality of treatment. Chemotherapy was given to 16% of patients. Even though radiation therapy was offered to 74% of patients, only 42% completed radiotherapy. There was subjective clinical improvement in 68% of patient population after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This is the second study from Tamil Nadu that deals with epidemiology of brain tumors. Multimodality management including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy remains the cornerstone in the management of pediatric brain tumors.
ISSN:0019-509X
1998-4774
DOI:10.4103/ijc.IJC_66_17