Histopathological study of pediatric solid malignant tumors in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: Pediatric malignancies are extremely heterogeneous yet account for only approximately 1% of all tumor diagnosis. These entities are important to recognize because their clinical features are non-specific and may mimic common disorders of childhood .Pediatric solid malignant tumors are clinico-biologically distinct. They are more aggressive but usually respond satisfactorily to chemotherapy. The advanced multidisciplinary approach results in improved overall survival and a better quality of life for majority of the patients [1].Aims & Objectives: To study the incidence, age and sex distribution of Pediatric solid malignant tumors. To study the histopathological appearances of various Pediatric solid malignant tumors.Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study over a period of 5 years (January 2017 to September 2021) in the age group of 0-14 years was conducted in civil hospital, BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad. The data was retrieved from LIS (laboratory information system).The data consisted of information about the surgical pathology specimens received in histopathology laboratory from surgical departments. All specimen were examined macroscopically, processed by routine paraffin processing method and haematoxylin and eosin stained sections were studied microscopically.Results: In our study of 170 malignant cases, patients were stratified in 3 age groups; 0-5 years, 6-9 years, 10-14 years. Total of 110 cases were observed among males and 60 cases among females. Most of the malignancies 67(39.4%) were observed among 0-5 years age group. Central Nervous System (CNS) malignancies 123(72.35%) was most common followed by soft tissue sarcoma, lymphoma, germ cell tumors, renal malignant tumors, bone tumors and miscellaneous malignant tumors.