Pediatric Central Nervous System Tumors

摘要

Childhood cancer is the fourth leading cause of death among children behind unintentional injuries, homicides, and suicides, and it is the leading cause of disease-related deaths among children. Leukemia is the most common type of cancer among children, comprising 24% of all diagnoses. Primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the second most common type of childhood cancer, accounting for approximately 20% of all cancers diagnosed during childhood. Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer death in children from birth to age 19 years; however, metastatic brain tumors are rare, representing 1% to 10% of pediatric brain tumors. Survival of patients with pediatric brain tumors depends on age at diagnosis, tumor histology and location, and the treatment regimen. For children who survive, the adverse effects of treatment can be lifelong.