Pediatric brain tumors

Abstract

Pediatric brain tumors (PBTs) are the most common solid malignancy in childhood, and the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality after leukemia in this age group [1-3]. The incidence is about 4 per 100, 000 children each year and is slightly more common in boys particularly for medulloblastoma, germ cell tumors, and ependymoma. Astrocytomas are the most common primary intra-axial brain tumor in children, constituting approximately three-quarters of all primary glial neoplasms, followed by medulloblastoma, ependymoma, craniopharyngioma, and germ cell tumors [1-5]. The majority of PBTs are infratentorial involving the cerebellum, brain stem, and fourth ventricle affecting all pediatric age groups, while supratentorial tumors are more common in children under 3 years of age [6, 7].