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Demographic and histopathologic profile of pediatric brain tumors: A hospital-based study
Harshil C Shah1, Bhushan P Ubhale1, Jaimin K Shah1
1Department of Neurosurgery, B. J. Medical College and Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
Insights
Pediatric brain tumors (PBTs) are more common in males and occur most frequently in the cerebellum. Astrocytomas and embryonal tumors are the most common types, requiring specialized neurosurgical attention.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neuro-oncology
Background:
- Limited epidemiologic data exists for pediatric brain tumors (PBTs) in India and the Indian subcontinent.
- Understanding the demographic and histopathologic profile of PBTs is crucial for targeted research and clinical management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the demographic and histopathologic characteristics of PBTs.
- Classify PBTs based on the World Health Organization 2007 classification.
- Analyze data from a single tertiary healthcare center in India.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 76 pediatric patients (0-19 years) with brain tumors.
- Data collected over 24 months (January 2012 - December 2013).
- Statistical analysis using EpiInfo 7, including Chi-square and Z-tests.
Main Results:
- PBTs were more prevalent in males (55.3%) than females (44.7%), with a male to female ratio of 1.23:1.
- The most common sites were the cerebellum (39.5%) and hemispheres (22.4%).
- Astrocytomas (40.8%) and embryonal tumors (29.0%) were the predominant histological types.
Conclusions:
- Astrocytomas and medulloblastomas are the most frequent pediatric brain tumors in the study region.
- The observed demographic and histopathologic profiles align with existing literature, with a notable higher incidence of craniopharyngiomas.
- These findings underscore the need for focused neurosurgical attention on specific PBT types.
Background:
Very few hospital-based or population-based studies are published in the context to the epidemiologic profile of pediatric brain tumors (PBTs) in India and Indian subcontinent.
Aim:
To study the demographic and histopathologic profile of PBTs according to World Health Organization 2007 classification in a single tertiary health care center in India.
Materials And Methods:
Data regarding age, gender, topography, and histopathology of 76 pediatric patients (0-19 years) with brain tumors operated over a period of 24 months (January-2012 to December-2013) was collected retrospectively and analyzed using EpiInfo 7. Chi-square test and test of proportions (Z-test) were used wherever necessary.
Results:
PBTs were more common in males (55.3%) as compared to females (44.7%) with male to female ratio of 1.23:1. Mean age was 10.69 years. Frequency of tumors was higher in childhood age group (65.8%) when compared to adolescent age group (34.2%). The most common anatomical site was cerebellum (39.5%), followed by hemispheres (22.4%). Supratentorial tumors (52.6%) were predominant than infratentorial tumors (47.4%). Astrocytomas (40.8%) and embryonal tumors (29.0%) were the most common histological types almost contributing more than 2/3(rd) of all tumors. Craniopharyngiomas (11.8%) and ependymomas (6.6%) were the third and fourth most common tumors, respectively.
Conclusion:
Astrocytomas and medulloblastomas are the most common tumors among children and adolescents in our region, which needs special attention from the neurosurgical department of our institute. Demographic and histopathologic profile of cohort in the present study do not differ substantially from that found in other hospital-based and population-based studies except for slight higher frequency of craniopharyngiomas.
