Primary spinal tumors in childhood: A single institution 15 year experience.
BACKGROUND
Pediatric primary spinal tumors (PST) are fairly uncommon, with little available data regarding incidence and outcomes.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective review of the 22 consecutive patients less than 18 years old diagnosed with PST between March 1997 and May 2011 and treated at Chang Gung Children Hospital. All patients had undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for pre-operative evaluation and operations for PST. The extent of tumor removal was assessed by surgical report by the neurosurgeon or by post-operative MRI if available.


RESULTS
Ten of them had intramedullary tumors and 12 had intradural extramedullary tumors. All patients were treated with surgery to the primary site. A total of 15 patients underwent gross total tumor resection and seven patients received post-operative radiotherapy. Five patients received adjuvant chemotherapy for their primary tumor. Fourteen patients (64%) survived from study entry without tumor progression.


CONCLUSIONS
PST encompassed a diverse group of pathologic entities that differ markedly based on the location and age of the children. Total resection of pediatric PST in children could be performed with acceptable risk and satisfactory long-term results.
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Po-Cheng
PC
Hung
Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Chieh-Tsai
CT
Wu
Department of Pediatrics, Divisions of Hematology and Oncology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Tang-Her
TH
Jaing
Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Jiunn-Ming
JM
Sheen
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Ming-Liang
ML
Chou
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Kuang-Lin
KL
Lin
Children; histology; primary spinal tumors; surgical resection
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