EPI-07: DIAGNOSIS OF CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) TUMORS IN CHILDREN. CAN WE IMPROVE IT?

BACKGROUND: Children with CNS tumors may have symptoms for a long time prior diagnosis. To support physicians in the identification of children with symptoms that could be caused by brain tumorm educational program on the symptomatology of CNS tumors was launched. The aim of the study was to analyze what has changed during a decade in the diagnosis of childhood CNS tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 184 medical records of children with CNS treated between 2000-2005 were studied. Analyzed; symptoms, time from symptoms onset and diagnosis, specialists involved and diagnostic procedures performed before final diagnosis. The results were compared to data from own study with patients treated between 1997-2000 (reference group –RG). RESULTS: Posterior fossa tumors had the shortest median diagnosis (1.7 months) and midbrain tumors the longest - 7.5 months in both groups. 56% of patients had appropriately oriented diagnosis as compared to 47% in the RG. Preliminary diagnosis of CNS tumor was made by 61% of pediatricians as compared to 24% in RG. 30 % of patients still have gastrological diagnosis. 54% of patients had final diagnosis in < 1 month, 20 % in < 3 months, 19% from 4-12 months and in 7 % over 1 year, for the RG it was 50%,25%, 16%,9% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Some improvement is observed in the diagnosis of childhood CNS tumors which we presume is owed to educational programs. Pediatricians had the greatest part in making the proper preliminary diagnosis and were the majority of participants of our program.