Central neurocytoma: Clinical characteristics, patterns of care, and survival

To investigate clinical characteristics and patterns of care among patients with central neurocytomas in a large cohort of patients.

The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried to identify patients with biopsy confirmed neurocytoma from 2004 to 2015. Patterns of care were described and univariable and multivariable models were performed to investigate the impact of prognostic factors on overall survival.

Among 223,404 patients with brain tumors in the NCDB, 868 patients were diagnosed with biopsy-proven neurocytoma and analyzed (0.4% or approximately 75 patients annually). Median age at diagnosis was 31 years and median tumor size was 4-5 cm. Diagnosis was similar between male (49.5%) and female (50.5%). Regarding location, 622 (72%) tumors were intraventricular, 168 (19%) were extra-ventricular, and 78 (9%) overlapping or unspecified. Five-year overall survival among all patients was 89%. On multivariable analysis tumor location, extent of resection, and use of radiation, were not predictive for improved survival (each p > 0.05); however, patient age (p < 0.001), WHO grade (p < 0.001), and medical comorbidity scores (p = 0.002) were independently associated with overall survival.

Patients with central neurocytoma often present as young adults with sizable tumor burden and are well managed with surgery alone. Considering their favorable survival, efforts to improve tumor control should be carefully weighed against the long-term risks associated with adjuvant therapy like radiation.