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Profile of Primary Pediatric Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors from North India
Nadia Shirazi1, Meenu Gupta2, Nowneet Kumar Bhat3
1Department of Pathology, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.
Insights
This study analyzed pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors in North India from 2006-2015. Medulloblastoma was the most frequent brain tumor, suggesting regional influences on central nervous system tumor development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neuro-oncology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Central nervous system (CNS) tumors represent a significant portion of pediatric solid malignancies.
- Understanding the specific profiles of these tumors is crucial for targeted treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the epidemiological and histopathological profile of pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors.
- To analyze tumor characteristics and patient outcomes over a decade (2006-2015).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational study utilizing medical records.
- Inclusion criteria: children under 18 with confirmed histopathological diagnosis of CNS tumors.
- Data collected included tumor type, age, sex, histomorphology, and follow-up outcomes.
Main Results:
- CNS tumors accounted for 5.6% of pediatric solid malignancies.
- Medulloblastoma (20.3%) was the most common brain tumor; Ewing's sarcoma/PNET (30.7%) was the most common spinal cord tumor.
- Higher tumor grades correlated with necrosis and angiogenesis; 35% survival at 36 months follow-up.
Conclusions:
- A higher incidence of medulloblastoma was observed compared to international data.
- Findings suggest potential regional and ethnic factors influencing CNS tumor pathogenesis in pediatric populations.
- Further research into these influences is warranted.
Background And Objective:
The study was carried out to find the profile of pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors during 2006-2015 in a tertiary referral center of North India.
Materials And Methods:
It was a retrospective medical record-based observational study. All children <18 years of age with confirmed histopathological diagnosis of cancer were included in the study.
Results:
Central nervous system (CNS) tumors constituted 5.6% of all pediatric solid malignancies in our hospital. A total of 54 brain tumors and 13 spinal cord tumors were studied. Medulloblastoma was the most common brain tumor (20.3%) followed by pilocytic astrocytoma (16.6%) and glioblastoma multiforme (9.2%). The most common spinal cord tumor was Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (30.7%) followed by ependymoma (23%). Mean age was 10.5 years and 12.1 years for brain and spinal cord tumors, respectively. There was male predominance in brain tumors while the sex ratio was almost equal in spinal cord tumors. Histomorphologically, necrosis and angiogenesis were associated with higher grades of tumor. Approximately 35% children were alive after a mean follow-up of 36 ± 6 months.
Conclusion:
Compared with most international studies, we found a higher percentage of medulloblastoma in the brain, thus stressing the role of regional and ethnic influences in the pathogenesis of CNS tumors.
