SURVIVAL AND NEURODEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME OF INDIVIDUAL BRAIN TUMOR IN INFANCY

Objectives: Most of infants with brain tumor may have poor prognosis in survival and neurologic outcome. The purpose of this study is to examine their survival and neurodevelopmental outcome.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the prognosis of 11 individuals with brain tumor, which was diagnosed under 1 year of age at our institution during 1991–2005. Among them, 6 were given the diagnosis under 6 months of age, of which 2 were under 1 month of age. The histological diagnoses of their brain tumors were astrocytoma (n=3), pineocytoma (n=2), teratoma (n=1), ependymoma (n=1), atypical teratoid/ rhabdoid tumor (n=1), glioblastoma (n=1), medulloblastoma (n=1), and choroid plexus papilloma (n=1). Surgical resection was performed in 8, of which total macroscopic removal was achieved in 2. Adjuvant chemotherapy was carried out in all, except 1 with choroid plexus papilloma, who had only total surgical resection. Radiotherapy was added for 2 of 10 received chemotherapy.

Results: Of the 11 cases, 5 were alive after completion of treatment with a median time from diagnosis of 76 months (range 39–167 months), 1 had been receiving chemotherapy for 7 months, and 5 died with a median time from diagnosis of 24months (range 11–111 months). Of the 6 cases who were alive, 5 had mental retardation, while 1 with choroid plexus papilloma which was completely removed by surgery had nomal development. One of 6 living cases, who had pilomyxoid astrocytoma with diencephalic syndrome, needed hormone replacement, and 3 had the problem of weight gain being out of plus or minus 2SD.

Conclusion: We conclude that the prognosis of infantile brain tumor was still poor in survival and neurological outcome. Survivors need comprehensive medical and social supports for a long time.