Advances in the management of pediatric central nervous system tumors.

Abstract

Central nervous system tumors are the most common pediatric solid tumors and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity in this age group. Survival rates have improved significantly over the last decades for most of the tumor types, as a consequence of improvements in neuroimaging, neurosurgery and neuroanesthesia, radiation oncology, and medical oncology. The complexity of the management of these patients requires a multidisciplinary approach and has led to the emergence of a new subspecialty of pediatric neuro-oncologists who are dedicated to the management and follow-up of this population. This review highlights the most critical advances in the diagnostic and treatment modalities of pediatric brain tumors. A specific review of the most common tumor types discusses treatment options, controversies, and ongoing developments, with an emphasis on cooperative trials.

• Authors: Shaker Abdullah, Ibrahim Qaddoumi, Eric Bouffet
• Journal: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (Ann N Y Acad Sci) Vol. 1138 Pg. 22-31 (Sep 2008) ISSN: 1749-6632 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18837879 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Central Nervous System Neoplasms (diagnosis, drug therapy, pathology, surgery, therapy)
• Child
• Humans
• Survival Rate