Epidemiology and Anatomical Distribution of Primary Brain Tumors Among Children in Palestine: A 6-Year National Referral Institution Study

Abstract

ObjectiveThe purpose of this research was to investigate the incidence rate of primary brain tumors (PBTs) among Palestinian children over a 6-year interval. Additionally, the study aimed to identify the predominant histopathological types identified in these children. MethodsThis retrospective epidemiologic study focused on PBTs in children (< 15 years) in Palestine. The data were collected from the registry system at Al-Makassed Hospital in Jerusalem, a prominent referral institution in Palestine and the largest center for PBTs in the region, over a 6 years period from 2018 to 2023. ResultsThe incidence rate of PBTs in children (<15 years) was 1.33 per 100,000 person-years, with a 5% mortality rate. Pilocytic astrocytoma was the most common type (24%), followed by medulloblastoma (15.2%), and glioblastoma (6.3%). About half of the tumors in children were malignant. Headaches were the most common first sign or symptom. About 20% of brain tumors in children were situated within the ventricles, making it the most prevalent location of these tumors, followed by the cerebellum (15.19%), and frontal lobe (11.39%). ConclusionThis is the first national study in Palestine investigating PBTs in children. The crude incidence rate of primary brain tumors among Palestinian children was lower than the incidence rate in many countries around the world. It is recommended that more research be done on the epidemiology and distribution of PBTs in children in Palestine.