Characteristics of childhood glial tumors, management approaches and life expectancy of the patients.

PURPOSE To evaluate the clinical characteristics, management approaches and life expectancy in pediatric patients with neuroepithelial glial tumors except ependymal tumors. METHODS Between January 2003 and August 2008, 48 patients (30 boys, 18 girls; mean age: 10.9 ± 4.6 years) who were diagnosed with neuroepithelial glial tumors except ependymal tumors and underwent curative radiotherapy (RT) for inoperable, postoperative adjuvant or palliative for residual/recurrent disease at Dr. Abdurahman Yurtsalan Ankara Oncology Education and Research Hospital, Radiation Oncology Clinic, were retrospectively analyzed. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated in relation to sex, previous surgical procedure, pathological diagnosis, low/high grade and the histopathological grade of disease. RESULTS The mean follow-up was 28.8 ± 4.8 months. The mean and median PFS were 36.2 months and 20 months, respectively, while mean and median OS were 40.3 months and 23 months, respectively. One-year PFS and OS were 65.8% and 71%, respectively, whereas 3-year PFS and OS were 36.3% and 42.3%, respectively. Univariate Cox regression model and Log-Rank test revealed no statistical significance. Prolonged PFS and OS were observed in boys compared to girls, those who underwent total/gross total resection compared to subtotal resection, those with low grade tumors compared to high-grade tumors, and those with histopathological grade I disease compared to grade IV disease (p>0.05). The PFS and OS times were shortened in patients who developed side effects at any time following surgery and RT, compared to those without any side effects (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Low-grade disease and total/gross total resection prolong PFS and OS in patients with childhood glial tumors.