PAEDIATRIC-09 DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMORS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA; A CASE STUDY OF UGANDA

Abstract BACKGROUND Pediatric brain tumors are the commonest solid tumors in children and the 2nd commonest childhood cancer globally. In Sub-Saharan Africa, there is paucity of data on their diagnosis and management. OBJECTIVES To describe the presentation, investigations done, treatment modalities and outcome of pediatric patients with brain tumors seen at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Uganda from May 2019 to March 2023. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted in Mulago National Referral Hospital, pediatric oncology unit, in patients below 18 years of age, admitted with a radiological finding of a brain tumor from May 2019 to March 2023. RESULTS The total number of children treated for a brain tumor in this period was 121.Majority (69 /121 (57 %)) of patients were males. The commonest symptom at presentation was headache (42%). Brain Ct-Scans were done in all, and majority (52%) had infratentorial tumors. The commonest diagnosis was glioma (38%), craniopharyngioma (26%), medulloblastoma (11%). Fifty-two patients had surgical resection and a histological diagnosis. Ten percent of patients had no diagnosis. Only 24(20%) patients received radiotherapy. Twenty patients received chemotherapy. Sixty-six are still alive and attending clinical reviews. The overall one-year survival was 63% (95%CI (50.3.0-73.4). CONCLUSION Gliomas were the commonest diagnosed pediatric brain tumor at the Mulago National Referral Hospital, pediatric oncology unit.