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Surgical Management of Brain Tumors in Infants Under One Year of Age
Duygu Baykal1, Metin Demirkaya, Marzieh Karimi Khezri
1Bursa State Hospital, Bursa, Turkey.
Insights
Brain tumors in infants under one year old present diverse pathologies and locations. Successful surgical resection is achievable, but optimal treatment strategies require further investigation for this unique pediatric population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neuro-oncology
- Infant brain tumor research
- Clinical data analysis
Background:
- Brain tumors are a significant concern in pediatric oncology.
- Infants under one year of age represent a unique demographic with distinct tumor characteristics.
- Understanding early-life brain tumor presentation is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of brain tumors in infants.
- To identify common symptoms, tumor types, and treatment outcomes in this age group.
- To highlight challenges and areas for future research in infant brain tumor care.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical data from infants undergoing surgical treatment for intracranial mass lesions.
- Data collection included age, symptoms, tumor location, histology, surgical procedures, adjuvant therapy, and survival.
- Exclusion of specific non-neoplastic or skull-based lesions.
Main Results:
- Twenty-three infant brain tumor cases were identified (14 males, 9 females).
- Median age at diagnosis was 8.2 months; common symptoms included nausea, vomiting, and abnormal head circumference.
- Choroid plexus papilloma was the most frequent diagnosis; gross total resection achieved in 75.8% of cases.
Conclusions:
- Infant brain tumors present complex diagnostic and management challenges due to diverse pathologies and locations.
- While surgical resection is often successful, further research is needed to define optimal treatment protocols.
- This study underscores the need for tailored approaches in pediatric neuro-oncology for the youngest patients.
Aim:
To comprehensively analyze clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management approaches of brain tumors in infants under one year of age.
Material And Methods:
We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical data retrieved from medical records of infants who underwent surgical treatment for intracranial mass lesions at our institution from January 2006 to December 2016. The data encompassed parameters such as age at diagnosis, symptoms, tumor location, histology, surgical procedures, adjuvant treatment, and survival outcomes. Cases involving dermoid, epidermoid cysts, and other skull-based lesions were excluded from the analysis.
Results:
Our analysis identified twenty-three cases of brain tumors diagnosed within the first year of life, comprising 14 boys and 9 girls. The median age at diagnosis was 8.2 months, and the most common presenting symptoms were nausea and vomiting, as well as head circumference abnormalities. Successful gross total resection was achieved in 75.8% of patients, with choroid plexus papilloma being the most frequently encountered histopathological diagnosis. Eight patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, while one patient underwent salvage radiotherapy.
Conclusion:
The treatment of brain tumors in infants during their first year of life presents significant challenges. The affected patients exhibit diverse tumor pathologies occurring at various locations within the brain. Further research is warranted to establish optimal treatment options for this specific population.
