Context: Pediatric brain tumors are a vexing problem for the neurosurgeon due to the
fragile patient cohort. We attempt to find parameters which can help us to treat and
prognosticate these patients in a better way. Aims: This study aims to correlate clinical presentation, outcome, and histological grade
with P53 and Ki-67 expression in primary pediatric brain tumors. Setting Design: This
was a prospective, observational study. Patients and Methods: Forty-seven patients
with primary brain tumors in the age group 0–18 years were included in this study.
Clinical presentation was noted. Patients were operated, and specimen was sent for
histopathological and immunohistochemistry examination for p53 and Ki-67. The WHO
classification of 2007 was used to grade the tumors. Follow-up was done at 3 and 6
months with Glasgow outcome score. Expression of p53 and Ki-67 in different tumors
was correlated with clinical presentation, tumor grade and outcome. Analysis Method:
Statistical Package for Social Science version 17. P < 0.05 was considered statistically
significant. Results: There was statistically significant correlation between high tumor grade and high
Ki-67 levels (P = 0.000). On post hoc analysis, there was a significant difference
between p53 levels in Grade 1 and Grade 4 tumors. There was statistically significant
correlation between neurological deficit and higher p53 levels (P = 0.040). There
was statistically significant correlation between poor outcome and higher p53 (P =
0.034) and Ki-67 (P = 0.000) levels at 3 months follow-up which continued at 6 months.
Conclusions: From this study, we conclude that p53 and Ki-67 expression in pediatric brain tumors
is associated with poor outcome and correlates with tumor grade. Moreover, p53 expression
correlates with neurological deficit.
Key-words:
Ki-67 - p53 - pediatric brain tumors - WHO grade
