Neonatal brain tumours - a review

Brain tumors in infants (under the age of 1 yr) are mercifully rare. Nonetheless, neonatal tumours present a treatment challenge to those involved. Surgery can be technically challenging, if possible at all, and the sensitivity of the developing nervous system to the side-effects of radio- and chemotherapy has limited their utility as adjunctive treatments. The risk/benefit equation in the planning of treatment of neonatal tumours using these modalities is further complicated by the fact that these tumours are often histologically benign, of large dimensions, but are often situated in locations that lead to a fatal outcome. This review article seeks to provide guidance on the management of neonatal patients and infants up to 1 year of age with brain tumours based on evidence from the literature.