title: Nonmalignant pediatric brain tumors.
abstract: Brain tumors are the most common solid neoplasms in the pediatric population. Each year in the United States, approximately 1500 to 2000 children are affected by one of these tumors. About 50% of pediatric brain tumors are malignant. Nonmalignant pediatric brain tumors comprise an eclectic group of pathologic entities that have fascinating clinical features. Many of these tumors demonstrate a favorable prognosis. In this report, we review the epidemiology, histopathology, genetics, clinical presentation, neuroimaging, and treatment of the common nonmalignant pediatric brain tumors, including low grade astrocytomas (such as cerebellar astrocytoma and optic pathway glioma), subependymal giant cell astrocytomas, central neurocytomas, dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor, choroid plexus papilloma, and craniopharyngioma. Advances in the therapeutic management of patients with these tumors have considerably improved their prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rashidi
authors.forename: Victor Reis
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: DaSilva
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Minagar
authors.forename: James T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Rutka
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016545:Choroid Plexus Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008579:Meningioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D018302:Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D010212:Papilloma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013724:Teratoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy