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Surgical outcomes of cerebellar tumors in children
Kamil Melih Akay1, Yusuf Izci, Alper Baysefer
1Department of Neurosurgery, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, TR-06018 Etlik-Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Pediatric cerebellar tumors often have favorable outcomes with proper management. Microsurgical techniques can achieve total tumor removal, though adjuvant therapies may be needed based on diagnosis and age.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neuro-oncology
Background:
- Cerebellar tumors in children can have favorable outcomes with appropriate management.
- Surgical resection is a primary treatment modality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present outcomes of pediatric cerebellar tumor surgeries.
- To evaluate the feasibility of gross total resection and identify factors influencing prognosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 27 pediatric cerebellar tumor cases operated over 7 years.
- Histopathological diagnosis and assessment of surgical resection extent.
- Evaluation of adjuvant therapies and follow-up duration.
Main Results:
- Pilocytic astrocytoma was the most common diagnosis (48.2%).
- Gross total resection was achieved in 59.3% of cases.
- Microsurgical techniques enabled complete resection without neurological deficit, except in cases with brain stem invasion.
Conclusions:
- Complete surgical removal of pediatric cerebellar tumors is achievable with microsurgery, especially when brain stem invasion is absent.
- Adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy are guided by pathology and patient age.
- Shorter follow-up periods are recommended for cases with brain stem invasion.
Abstract:
Cerebellar tumors in childhood are generally associated with a favorable outcome if they are managed appropriately. 27 cases of pediatric cerebellar tumors, operated over a 7-year period, are presented. Histopathological diagnoses were as follows: pilocytic astrocytoma (48.2%); medulloblastoma (22.2%); ependymoma (18.5%); fibrillary astrocytoma grade III (3.7%); cystic oligodendroglioma (3.7%), and hemangioblastoma (3.7%). Microscopic gross total resection was achieved in 16 (59.3%) of 27 cases. The total removal of pediatric cerebellar tumors without neurological deficit is possible with appropriate microsurgical techniques excluding brain stem invasion. The follow-up periods must be shorter if brain stem invasion exists. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the adjuvant therapies according to the pathological diagnosis and the patient's age.
