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Pediatrics

Giant Supratentorial Brain Tumors in Pediatric Patients: Impact of Surgical Resection

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A study published in the Childs Nervous System journal has evaluated the impact of gross total resection of giant supratentorial brain tumors (GSBT) on survival and neurological outcome in a consecutive single-center pediatric series. The research, conducted at the University of Sao Paulo, reviewed clinical data of 23 patients under 18 years of age operated with GSBT. The results suggest that tumor mass reduction by en bloc surgery is an effective approach in pediatric patients with GSBT, relieving symptoms related to raised intracranial pressure and providing a better response to adjuvant treatment.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study included 23 patients under 18 years of age, with a mean age of 4.5 years, who underwent gross total resection of giant supratentorial brain tumors (GSBT) at a single-center pediatric hospital.
  • The most frequent tumor location was the parietal lobe (82.6%), and the mean tumor volume was 208 cm(3).
  • Gross total or radical resection was achieved in all patients, and histopathological analysis revealed malignant brain tumors in 18 cases (78.2%).
  • Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy were performed as adjuvant treatment in 16 patients (69.5%), and the mean length of follow-up was 36.7 months.
  • The study found that tumor malignancy grade significantly correlated with recurrence of the disease (P = 0.03) and death (P = 0.01), as opposed to tumor location, size, and extension to the ventricles.
  • The research concluded that en bloc surgery is an effective approach in pediatric patients with GSBT, relieving symptoms related to raised intracranial pressure and providing a better response to adjuvant treatment.

Statistics:

  • 23 patients under 18 years of age were included in the study.
  • The mean age of the patients was 4.5 years.
  • The most frequent tumor location was the parietal lobe (82.6%).
  • The mean tumor volume was 208 cm(3).
  • Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy were performed as adjuvant treatment in 16 patients (69.5%).
  • The mean length of follow-up was 36.7 months.
  • Tumor malignancy grade significantly correlated with recurrence of the disease (P = 0.03) and death (P = 0.01).

Sources:

  • The impact of surgical resection of giant supratentorial brain tumor in pediatric patients: safety and neurological outcome evaluated in 23 consecutive cases. Childs Nervous System, 2015;31(1):67-75.
  • Springer, 233 Spring St, New York, NY 10013, USA (see also Oncology)

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