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Child's Nervous System

15-04-2024 | Brain Tumor | Research

Clinical factors, management, and outcomes of children under 3 years old with central nervous system tumors: single-center experience

Authors: Nurşah Eker, Gülnur Tokuç, Alican Sarısaltık, Adnan Dağçınar, Dilek Gül, Beste Melek Atasoy, Barış Yılmaz, Burcu Tufan Taş

Published in: Child's Nervous System

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Abstract

Purpose

Children under 3 years old represent a notable portion, about 25 to 30%, of all central nervous system tumor (CNS) cases. Their clinical course, prognosis, and treatment significantly differ from older children. This single-center retrospective study aims to comprehensively analyze survival factors in children under three diagnosed with CNS tumors.

Methods

Between April 2012 and December 2023, cases under 3 years of age with CNS tumors diagnosed at our center were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

Among 279 CNS tumor cases, 42 (15%) were evaluated. The 5-year overall and event-free survival rates were 67.4% (95% CI 47.5–81.1) and 39.8% (95% CI 24.2–55.0), respectively. Gender, symptom onset to diagnosis time, pathological neurological findings at diagnosis, and tumor location did not significantly impact survival (p > 0.05). However, cases with neurological symptoms showed significantly higher event-free survival rates (p < 0.05). Patients with embryonal tumors, metastases, inability for total surgical excision, relapsed/progressive diseases, and who under 1 year old had significantly lower survival rates (p < 0.05). Radiotherapy timing did not affect survival (p > 0.05). Event-free survival rates remained unchanged after the third year.

Conclusion

The current treatments have been observed to have a positive impact on survival rates. Nonetheless, there is a need for novel treatments for patients with embryonal tumors, metastases, aged under 1 year, and those where total surgical excision is not feasible or in cases with progressive/relapse disease. This study underscores the importance of the first 3 years regarding relapse, progression, or mortality risk.
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Metadata
Title
Clinical factors, management, and outcomes of children under 3 years old with central nervous system tumors: single-center experience
Authors
Nurşah Eker
Gülnur Tokuç
Alican Sarısaltık
Adnan Dağçınar
Dilek Gül
Beste Melek Atasoy
Barış Yılmaz
Burcu Tufan Taş
Publication date
15-04-2024
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Child's Nervous System
Print ISSN: 0256-7040
Electronic ISSN: 1433-0350
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-024-06386-9