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Clinico-histopathological Profile of Primary Paediatric Intra-abdominal Tumours: a Multi-hospital-Based Study
Nitin Joseph1, Sharada Rai2, Kshitiz Singhal3
1Post Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka India.
Insights
Paediatric intra-abdominal tumours are rising in India, predominantly affecting males under 15. Wilm's tumour was most common, with fever a frequent symptom. Treatment outcomes varied by tumour type and stage.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Paediatrics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Paediatric cancers represent approximately 5% of India's total cancer burden.
- Intra-abdominal tumours are a significant proportion of childhood cancers.
- This study analyzes demographic, clinical, and management data for paediatric intra-abdominal tumours.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the demographic profile of children with intra-abdominal tumours.
- To describe the clinical features and management strategies employed.
- To identify factors influencing treatment outcomes and remission rates.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of histopathologically confirmed paediatric intra-abdominal tumours (2009-2019).
- Inclusion criteria: patients aged <15 years with primary intra-abdominal tumours.
- Data collected on demographics, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- 50 patients included; median age 3 years; 70% male.
- Wilm's tumour was the most frequent (34%), with 96% of tumours being malignant.
- Fever (54%) was common; Vincristine was the most used drug. Remission rates were higher for Wilm's tumour and Hodgkin's lymphoma. Stage 4 malignancy correlated with treatment default, while germ cell tumours showed better recovery.
Conclusions:
- Intra-abdominal tumours in children are predominantly malignant, with Wilm's tumour being the most common.
- Treatment response varies significantly by tumour type and stage.
- Further research is needed to understand and address treatment default in advanced-stage paediatric malignancies.
Abstract:
Paediatric cancers are gradually on the rise in India. Its proportion among children aged < 15 years constitutes close to 5% of the total cancer affected population. A high proportion of this constitutes intra-abdominal tumours. This study was done to study the demographic profile, clinical features and management of intra-abdominal tumours among children. Data of all histopathologically confirmed patients aged < 15 years with various primary intra-abdominal tumours diagnosed from 2009 to 2019 were included in this study. The median age of the patients (n = 50) was 3 years (IQR 1.4, 6). The median age at diagnosis of cancer (n = 23) was 2.5 years (IQR 1, 4). Tumours were more common among males (70%). The most common tumour in this study was Wilm's tumour (17 (34%)). Forty-eight (96%) patients had malignant tumours. Fever was present among the majority (27 (54%)) of the patients. The most common anti-cancer drug used for management was Vincristine, used among 23 patients. Remission was more among infants with Wilm's tumour (P = 0.0221) and among patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) (P = 0.0444). Default with treatment was more among patients with stage 4 malignancy (P = 0.0186). Recovery following treatment was more among patients with germ cell tumour (P = 0.0082). Reasons for default with treatment in the late stages of malignancies need to be identified in future research studies.
Supplementary Information:
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13193-021-01365-x.
