Advances in the management of pediatric central nervous system tumors.
Central nervous system tumors are the most common pediatric solid tumors and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity in this age group. Survival rates have improved significantly over the last decades for most of the tumor types, as a consequence of improvements in neuroimaging, neurosurgery and neuroanesthesia, radiation oncology, and medical oncology. The complexity of the management of these patients requires a multidisciplinary approach and has led to the emergence of a new subspecialty of pediatric neuro-oncologists who are dedicated to the management and follow-up of this population. This review highlights the most critical advances in the diagnostic and treatment modalities of pediatric brain tumors. A specific review of the most common tumor types discusses treatment options, controversies, and ongoing developments, with an emphasis on cooperative trials.
Abdullah
Shaker
S
Department of Oncology, King Abdulaziz Medical City-Jeddah, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Qaddoumi
Ibrahim
I
Bouffet
Eric
E
D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D015996:Survival Rate