The relative patient benefit of gross total resection in adult choroid plexus papillomas

Michael Safaee1, Michael C Oh, Michael E Sughrue

  • 1Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0112, USA.

Insights

Gross total resection (GTR) significantly improves survival for adult choroid plexus papillomas. This study highlights that these tumors may be more aggressive in adults than previously believed, emphasizing the importance of GTR.

Area of Science:

  • Neurosurgery
  • Oncology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Choroid plexus papillomas (CPPs) are rare neuroepithelial tumors predominantly affecting children.
  • Limited literature exists on CPPs specifically in the adult population.
  • Understanding adult CPP behavior and optimal surgical management is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the benefits of gross total resection (GTR) versus subtotal resection (STR) for adult CPPs.
  • To characterize the natural history and long-term outcomes of CPPs in adults.
  • To identify prognostic factors influencing recurrence and survival.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive PubMed search for adult CPP surgical cases with reported outcomes.
  • Kaplan-Meier analysis for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).
  • Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models to assess recurrence and survival predictors.

Main Results:

  • 193 adult patients identified (mean age 39.9 years).
  • GTR (72%) was associated with significantly improved PFS (p=0.015) and OS (p=0.004) compared to STR (28%).
  • GTR was the sole predictor of reduced recurrence (HR=0.47), while both age and GTR impacted OS.

Conclusions:

  • Gross total resection is a critical factor for improved outcomes in adult choroid plexus papillomas.
  • Adult CPPs may exhibit a more aggressive natural history than previously assumed.
  • While GTR is preferred, it does not guarantee a cure, necessitating continued monitoring.

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