LMI-10: TEN YEARS SURVEY OF PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOURS IN ALEXANDRIA

BACKGROUND: Brain tumors form the second most common cancer in children, accounting for a quarter of all childhood cancers. Alexandria the second largest province of Egypt with a population of 8 million and 3.6 millions child. Data on childhood brain tumors in Alexandria is scarce. The multidisciplinary (MDC) was first implemented in January 2011. Our objectives were to identify characteristics, outcome data and challenges for children with brain tumors in Alexandria. In addition we wanted to measure the impact of MDC approach. METHODS: All children less than 19 years old who presented to the neurosurgery department at Alexandria University between January 2003 and January 2013 with a brain tumor. RESULTS: 161 children (91 boys) eligible for inclusion, The mean age was 7.8 years. Most of the tumors were infratentorial (55%), the pathology showed Astrocytic tumors (22.3 %), Medulloblastomas (18.6 %), Ependymoma (12.4 %), Brain stem glioma (11.1 %), Pineoblastoma (0.04 %), Craniopharyngiomas (0.03 %), Supratentorial PNETs (0.03 %). GTR in 62%, STR was done in 31 % (11% for biopsy of brain stem gliomas) and 7% the operations were aborted. 6/37 cases with CSF tested were found positive for metastatic disease; MB= 2 cases, Ependymoma= 2 cases, ATRT= 1 and Pineoblastoma= 1. Recurrence 24% of children. 18% incomplete data, 40% died, 42% are alive. CONCLUSIONS: Establishment of data registry for pediatric brain tumors gives a basic backup for, which reveals an increasing rate of detection and a more application of surgical treatment, which will improve the surgical outcome and survival.