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Primary intracranial neoplasms of infancy and early childhood
C H Rickert1, S Probst-Cousin, F Gullotta
1Institute of Neuropathology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany.
Insights
Pediatric brain tumors in children under 4 show a male predominance and a higher incidence of supratentorial tumors. Astrocytoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) are common in early infancy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neuro-oncology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Brain tumors are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children.
- Understanding the epidemiology of pediatric brain tumors is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
- Tumor characteristics vary significantly with age in early childhood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the age-related location, gender distribution, and histology of brain tumors in children under 4 years of age.
- To compile and review existing data on pediatric brain tumors in infancy and early childhood.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 107 pediatric brain tumors diagnosed between 1984 and 1997.
- Review and compilation of published data on pediatric brain tumors.
- Analysis of tumor location (supratentorial vs. infratentorial), gender, and histological type.
Main Results:
- A male-to-female ratio of 1.4 and a supratentorial tumor prevalence of 1.3 were observed.
- Astrocytoma (33.6%) and ependymoma (14.0%) were the most frequent histological types.
- In the first year of life, primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) were most frequent, with a higher supratentorial ratio (3.4).
Conclusions:
- This study provides extensive data on the epidemiology of brain tumors in infancy and early childhood.
- Age-specific variations in tumor types and locations are evident.
- Findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of pediatric brain tumor characteristics.
Abstract:
We investigated the age-related location, gender distribution, and histology of 107 brain tumors in children under 4 years of age seen in our department between 1984 and 1997. The male-to-female ratio was 1.4 (62/45 cases) with a prevalence of supratentorial tumors (60/47 = 1.3); the main histological entity was astrocytoma (33.6%), followed by ependymoma (14.0%). In the 1st year of life 22 cerebral neoplasms became clinically apparent. A higher ratio for supratentorial tumors was revealed (17/5 = 3.4), but without gender preference, and primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) were the most frequent (5/22). In the 2nd year 25 tumors were found. The male-to-female ratio was 1.5 (15/10) and the supratentorial-to-infratentorial ratio, 1.1 (13/12). The two most common entities were astrocytoma and ependymoma (6 cases each). In addition, a survey of previously published investigations into this subject was performed and a compilation of data on 1960, 545 and 1084 tumors in children below the age of 1, 2 and 4 years, respectively, was prepared, which makes it the most extensive review of brain tumors of infancy and early childhood yet undertaken.