Abstract
Brain tumors in infants including those diagnosed in fetal age, newborns and under a year old represent less than 10% of pediatric nervous system tumors and present differently when compared with older children in terms of clinical traits, location and histology. The most frequent clinical finding is a macrocephaly but non-specific symptoms can also be associated. The prognosis is usually poor and depends on several factors. Surgery continues to be the main option in terms of therapeutic strategies whereas the role of chemotherapy is not yet well defined and radiotherapy is exceptionally undertaken. In view of this situation, a molecular characterization could assist in providing therapeutic options for these tumors. This review highlights the recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors in infants with a particular focus on the molecular landscape and future clinical applications.
Highlights
Brain tumors arising in children under a year old are a rare subgroup of central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms that can pose a difficult challenge to the neuro-oncologist
Infantile brain tumors should be considered as a distinct entity in the broader landscape of pediatric brain tumors with their own diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms following what has already been done in the classification of other malignancies such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia [3]
Infantile brain tumors are a rare entity in pediatric oncology and currently still lack a complete characterization
Summary
Brain tumors arising in children under a year old are a rare subgroup of central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms that can pose a difficult challenge to the neuro-oncologist Their diagnosis is often delayed because symptoms, due to the mobility of the skull bones, can occur late. They demonstrate a biologically more aggressive behavior when compared with the same histological entities in older children [1] Their treatment is complicated by the fact that there are few therapeutic weapons available and all come with potential risks: surgery has related operative-anesthesiological risks; chemotherapy and radiotherapy can have long-term complications [2]. The aim of this mini-review is to summarize the current knowledge of infantile brain tumors and take an in-depth look at recent advances in their diagnosis and treatment
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