Pediatric brain tumors--diagnostic and treatment

During the period 1995-2004 we treated 212 patients (pts) with brain tumors. There were 133 boys and 79 girls, aged from 2,5 yrs up to 18 yrs (Me = 9, 7 yrs). The majority of pts were in age group (4-16) yrs-179 pts. Supratentorial tumors were diagnosed in 118 pts vs. infratentorial 94 pts. Therapy involved surgery, postoperative radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. Survival rates were calculated using Caplan-Meier method and differences between curves with log-rank test. During the follow-up period from 1 to 9 year (Me = 3 yrs) 5-year disease free survival rate was 55.7%. 79 pts failed to therapy. There was no statistically significant difference in survival according to sex (p = 0.123) and age (p = 0.367). Pts with supratentorial tumors had statistically significant better survival (p = 0.036). Pts with histologic type low grade astrocitomas had statistically significant better survival than malignant gliomas, ependymomas and PNET (p = 0.0001). Surgery, postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy in selected cases are efficient therapeutic approach for pediatric brain tumors.