Clinico-Demographic Profile of Paediatric Patients with Primary Intracranial Tumours in South India

Abstract

The central and peripheral nervous system cancers are the second most common cancers among the paediatric population (0–14 years). The non-specific symptoms seen in its clinical presentation make the diagnosis of these tumours extremely challenging among children compared to adults. This research study was therefore done to study the socio-demographic profile, clinical features, and management practices among paediatric patients with intracranial tumours. This was a cross-sectional medical record-based study done among 31 children aged < 18 years diagnosed with primary intracranial tumours. Data were recorded using a semi-structured proforma. The median age at diagnosis of tumours among the patients was 7(4, 15) years. Majority of them were males 17(54.8%). Medulloblastoma was the common tumour 12(38.7%). 18(58.1%) tumours originated from the infratentorial region. The most common infratentorial tumour was medulloblastoma, while the most common supratentorial tumour was meningioma. The most common site of involvement was the brainstem 11(35.5%). Majority of the tumours were presently in Stage III/IV 20(64.5%). The most common symptom was vomiting 18(58.1%). 23(74.2%) patients were managed using chemotherapy and among them the most used drug was Temozolomide 7(30.4%). Medulloblastoma was present more among patients who were diagnosed at the age ≤ 5 years (p = 0.022). Tumours involving the cerebellum were more among females (p = 0.0118). Headache was present more among patients who were diagnosed with tumours at the age > 5 years compared to the age ≤ 5 years (p = 0.0119). From the findings of this study, it can be concluded that majority of the patients were males. Medulloblastoma was the most common tumour. Close to two-third of the tumours were in Stage III/IV. The most common symptom reported was vomiting. The most used drug for treatment was Temozolomide.