Cerebral metastases in childhood malignancies.
Between January 1982 to June 1994, 154 children with non-CNS malignant tumours excluding leukaemias and lymphomas were admitted and treated at the UKMC. Symptomatic (10 cases; 6.5%) and non-symptomatic (2 cases; 1.2%) cranial metastases (calvarial, dural and/or parenchymal) were seen in 12 (7.8%) cases. Among these 12 cases, 7 had intracranial parenchymal metastases (4.5%). Three cases had multiple intracranial parenchymal metastases. Only one case had infratentorial (cerebellar) metastasis. The patients' ages ranged from 1 to 18 years (mean age was 7.3 years). The male:female ratio was 5:2. While six patients' brain metastases diagnosed during subsequent relapses, one patient first presented with brain metastasis. Time elapsed between the diagnosis of the primary disease and intracranial metastasis ranged from 0 to 755 days (mean 327 days). Histopathological diagnoses were confirmed in 4 cases who had craniotomy and tumour removal. Mean survival following the diagnosis of intracranial lesion was 157 days (ranged from 0 to 412 days). Despite the aggressive treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, 6 cases died with progression or relapse of the intracranial disease. In conclusion, the incidence of paediatric intracranial parenchymal metastasis is 4.5%. Prognosis is poor and intracranial disease is the primary cause of death.
Tasdemiroglu
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E
Neurosurgery Service, Eyup Social Security Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Patchell
R A
RA
D000293:Adolescent; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003399:Craniotomy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed