PRIMARY BRAIN TUMOURS IN PEDIATRIC AGE GROUP AND THE PATTERNS OF CARE IN PATIENTS OF THE NORTH-EASTERN REGION OF INDIA: A HOSPITAL BASED RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

Background: Pediatric brain tumours are the most common solid tumours in children and comprise approximately 20-25% of all pediatric malignancies worldwide.

Aims: There is no data about the epidemiological profile of primary brain tumours in pediatric age group from the North-East India. The main aim of the study was to assess the epidemiological profile of pediatric brain tumours in children of the North-Eastern region of India and their patterns of care.

Materials and Methods: In this analysis, data regarding age, sex, community, site of the tumour, clinical features, histology, geographical distribution and treatment delivered were collected from hospital cancer registry.

Results: A total of 115 cases of pediatric primary brain tumours from age 0-18 years from 2012-2017 were identified and included in this study. According to this study, males (61.7%) slightly outnumbered females (38.3%) with a male: female ratio of 1.61:1 and incidence was most common in the 6-12 years age group. When divided according to anatomical site, primary brain tumours were found to be most common in cerebellum (44.35%) followed by cerebrum (36.26%). Infratentorial tumours (53%) were more than supratentorial tumours (47%). Histologically, the most common variety was found to be Medulloblastoma (34.8%) followed by Astocytomas (26.95%). Patients were mostly seen to belong to Middle Assam region (38.2%). Among the communities, Hindus (61.74%) were most commonly found to have primary pediatric brain tumours. Around 96% of the patients were offered to take radiotherapy out of which only 67% took radiotherapy, 2.6% defaulted treatment(drop outs) and 27% didn’t turn up for treatment. 4.35% of the patients took other modalities of treatment.

Conclusion: Multimodality management including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy remains the cornerstone in the management of pediatric brain tumours.