Brain tumors in childhood.

A review of the pathology of 689 neuroectodermal tumors occurring over a 30-year period at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto has underlined the importance of examining the tissue from each tumor in order to insure consistency and accuracy in histological diagnosis. The age, sex, histology and topographical distribution of this series of tumors is compared with other series and discussed in detail. The high proportion of tumors occurring in early childhood, the striking male preponderance, and the high incidence of astrocytomas, medulloblastomas and ependymomas is emphasized.