Paediatric brain tumours in Singapore: A 15-year epidemiological and outcome study. (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Sherry J.; Aw, Natalie M.Y.; Lim, Mervyn J.R.; Tew Seow, Wan; Low, David C.Y.; Kimpo, Miriam S.; Ee Kar Tan, Enrica; Tsai Yeo, Tseng; Low, Sharon Y.Y.; Nga, Vincent D.W.
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical neuroscience. Volume 101(2022)
• Page Start: 154
• Page End: 161
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: Paediatric brain tumours -- Childhood brain tumours; Brain -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Brain -- surgery -- Periodicals; Neurosurgical Procedures -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2022.05.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-5868

Abstract

Highlights: Paediatric brain tumours (PBT) are the most common solid tumours in children. This is the first PBT-based epidemiological study from Singapore over a 15-year period. Despite evolving changes in the WHO classification, we report similar outcomes to overseas centres. Abstract: Paediatric brain tumours (PBTs) are the most common solid tumours in children. Previous publications reflect variations in incidence rates and frequency of histological types in different global populations. However, there are limited studies on the epidemiology of PBTs in Singapore. This study aims to summarise the epidemiology of paediatric brain tumours managed in Singapore. This is an ethics-approved retrospective study of all patients below 19 years old diagnosed with PBTs managed by Singapore's 2 tertiary paediatric neurosurgical centres, KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) and the National University Hospital (NUH) over a 15-year period from 01 January 2002 to 31 December 2017. Data collected was analysed for age, gender, tumour characteristics, presenting complaints, location, treatment modalities, 1-year and 5-year overall survival (OS). A total of 396 patients were included. The mean age of diagnosis was 7.05 years (0.25–18; ± 4.83) and male-to-female ratio was 1.41:1. Top histological groups were astrocytic (30.6%), embryonal (26.0%), germ cell (11.1%), ependymoma (30, 7.58%) and craniopharyngioma (27, 6.82%). Outcomes included recurrence rate (31.2%), 1-year OS (89.5%) and 5-year OS (72.2%). Poorer 5-year OS were noted in embryonal tumours (47.0%; p < 0.001) and ependymoma (50.0%; p = 0.0074) patients. Of note, the following cohorts also had poorer OS at 5 years: supratentorial tumours (76.2%; p = 0.0426), radiotherapy (67.4%; p = 0.0467) and surgery (74.9%, HR; p < 0.001). Overall, our data reflects patient demographics, presenting complaints, treatment modalities and survival outcomes, that are comparable to other international paediatric neurosurgical centres.