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Time to diagnosis of brain tumors in children: a single-centre experience
Anja Molineus1, Nicole Boxberger, Antje Redlich
1Pediatric Oncology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Children's Hospital, Magdeburg, Germany.
Insights
Pediatric brain tumor diagnosis is often delayed, with significant parental and doctor delays contributing to a long pre-diagnostic symptomatic interval. Early recognition of symptoms like headache and vision changes is crucial for timely intervention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neurology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Pediatric brain tumors represent a significant health concern.
- Understanding delays in diagnosis is critical for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the pre-diagnostic symptomatic interval (PSI) in children with brain tumors.
- To investigate the roles of parental and physician delay in diagnosis.
- To identify key clinical symptoms associated with pediatric brain tumors.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of pediatric brain tumor cases over 11 years.
- Analysis of diagnostic intervals and presenting symptoms.
- Data collected from a single tertiary care center.
Main Results:
- The average PSI was 28 weeks, with parental delay averaging 11.1 weeks and doctor delay 16.9 weeks.
- Headache (66.7%) and vomiting (57.7%) were the most common symptoms.
- Vision disorders (46.2%), gait disturbances (41.6%), and fatigue (41.0%) were also prevalent.
Conclusions:
- Diagnosis of pediatric brain tumors is frequently delayed.
- A combination of headache and other neurological symptoms warrants strong consideration for brain tumor.
- Timely medical evaluation is essential for children presenting with concerning neurological signs.
Background:
The aim of the study was to analyze the pre-diagnostic symptomatic interval (PSI) of children with brain tumors with regard to the parental and doctor's delay and the clinical symptoms.
Methods:
A retrospective review of all children with brain tumors diagnosed in a single centre over a period of 11 years was carried out.
Results:
Seventy-nine patients (35 boys, 44 girls), with a mean age of 9.2 years (0.2-23.5 years), were analyzed. PSI was 28 weeks with a parental delay of 11.1 weeks and a doctor's delay of 16.9 weeks. Main clinical symptoms were headache (66.7%), vomiting (57.7%), vision (46.2%) and gait (41.6) disorders and fatigue (41.0%) followed by other neurological signs.
Conclusions:
Diagnosis of pediatric brain tumors is often delayed in relation to the presenting symptoms. If parents report a combination of headache with other neurological abnormalities, a brain tumor should always be considered.
