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Progression from first symptom to diagnosis in childhood brain tumours

Sophie Wilne1, Jacqueline Collier, Colin Kennedy

  • 1Department of Paediatric Oncology, Nottingham University Hospitals' NHS Trust Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK. sophie.wilne@nuh.nhs.uk

European Journal of Pediatrics
|May 20, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Diagnosing pediatric brain tumors often involves a median of six symptoms, a significant increase from symptom onset. Reducing the 3.3-month diagnostic interval is crucial for timely intervention in children with brain tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neuro-oncology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Childhood Cancer Research

Background:

  • Delayed diagnosis of pediatric brain tumors impacts patient outcomes.
  • Understanding the progression of clinical features is vital for early detection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolution of clinical features from symptom onset to diagnosis in children with brain tumors.
  • To identify factors contributing to the delay in diagnosis and suggest methods for shortening this interval.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 139 children diagnosed with brain tumors across four UK pediatric neuro-oncology centers.
  • Detailed documentation of symptoms at onset and diagnosis, and the time interval between them.

Main Results:

  • The median number of symptoms increased from one at onset to six at diagnosis.
  • The median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 3.3 months.
  • Headache, nausea/vomiting, motor and visual abnormalities, and behavioral changes significantly increased from onset to diagnosis.

Conclusions:

  • A significant evolution of clinical features occurs between symptom onset and diagnosis in pediatric brain tumors.
  • Longer diagnostic delays were associated with specific symptoms like head tilt and cranial nerve palsies.
  • Interventions aimed at recognizing and addressing these evolving symptoms are needed to shorten the time to diagnosis.

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