R Madhavan1, B P Kannabiran2, A M Nithya2, J Kani2, P Balasubramaniam2, S Shanmugakumar2. 1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Madras Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu; Department of Radiation Oncology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Amrita University, Kochi, Kerala, India. 2. Department of Radiation Oncology, Madras Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Abstract
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.
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.
Authors: Dragana Stanić; Danica Grujičić; Tatjana Pekmezović; Jelena Bokun; Marija Popović-Vuković; Dragana Janić; Lejla Paripović; Vesna Ilić; Marija Pudrlja Slović; Rosanda Ilić; Savo Raičević; Milan Sarić; Ivana Mišković; Borko Nidžović; Marina Nikitović Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-10-26 Impact factor: 3.240