Profile of childhood central nervous system tumors in Iraq experience of children's welfare teaching hospital in medical city, Baghdad

Abstract

Background: The most frequent pediatric solid organ tumor and second most prevalent children malignancy after hematologic malignancies are primary malignant central nervous system tumors. Brain tumor management in resource-limited nations requires a committed multidisciplinary team to shorten detection delays and synchronize treatment approaches. Aim of study: To identify the clinico-pathological profile and outcome of childhood brain tumor in oncology unit, Children’s Welfare Teaching Hospital. Method: This descriptive, prospective and retrospective study included 72 children aged between 0-14 years who were referred to oncology unit after being diagnosed with primary brain tumors over a period of 27 months between October 2017 till the end of December 2019 and a follow up till the 30th of September 2020. Results: There were 38 males (52.78%) and 34 females (47.22%). Male-female ratio 1.1:1. At diagnosis, the mean age was 4.93 years and median was 5 years, ranging from 6-165 months. The median duration of symptoms was 3 months, and vomiting was the most prevalent clinical manifestation in 48 patients (66.7%), followed by headache in 30 (41.7%) and abnormal gait in 29 (40.2%). Medulloblastoma was the most prevalent histological type in 24 (33.3%). Poor outcomes were observed: 23 (31.9%) patients died, 20 (27.8%) completed therapy and followed up, 11 (15.27%) remain on treatment, 10 (13.9%) abandoned treatment, and 8 (11.1%) are alive with progressive disease. Conclusion: Most of the finding were consistent with other studies from other parts of the developing world. The outcome of pediatric brain tumor remains poor.