A-5-year analysis of pediatric brain tumors in a tertiary care center, in a sub-saharan African country.

Abstract

Background: Tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) are the second most common group of cancers in childhood, exceeded by the leukemias. It is the most common pediatric solid tumor accounting for 20% of all childhood malignancies. The pattern and outcome of these tumors in children has not been studied in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the epidemiology and out-come of pediatric brain tumors in a tertiary care center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Methods: A retrospective review of medical records of children less than 15 years of age diag-nosed with primary brain tumor in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital Department of pediatrics from January 1, 2014 to January 1, 2019 was done. Treatment outcome was assessed clinically based on resolution of symptoms and absence of neurologic disabilityResults: There were 86 children with the diagnosis of brain tumor in the study period and 49/86 (57%) were males and the male to female ratio was 1.5:1. The age at presentation ranges from 2.4-14 years (mean 7.1 years). Headache was the commonest presentation among 65/86 (75.5%) children while early morning vomiting accounted for 57/86 (66.2%). Ataxia and gait abnormality contributed to 42/86 (48.8%). Among the 41 children whose pathologic result was available, the commonest tumor was medulloblastoma 13/41 (31.7%), followed by astrocytoma 8/41 (19.5 %) and craniopharyngioma 5/41 (12.1%). Six months and 5 years survival was 40% (35/86) and 2.3% (2/86) respectively.Conclusion: Medulloblastoma and astrocytoma were common brain tumors in children, we had the longest PSI and as a result, very low survival which calls for early diagnosis and treatment.