Epidemiology of pediatric central nervous system tumors in Uyghur: experience from a single center

Long-term epidemiological trends in (primary) pediatric central nervous system tumors: a 25-year cohort analysis in Western Mexico

BACKGROUND

Central nervous system tumors (CNSTs) represent a significant oncological challenge in pediatric populations, particularly in developing regions where access to diagnostic and therapeutic resources is limited.

METHODS

This research investigates the epidemiology, histological classifications, and survival outcomes of CNST in a cohort of pediatric patients aged 0 to 19 years within a 25-year retrospective study at the Civil Hospital of Guadalajara, Mexico, from 1999 to 2024.

RESULTS

Data was analyzed from 273 patients who met inclusion criteria, revealing a higher incidence in males (51.6%) with a mean age at diagnosis of 8.2 years. Histological analysis revealed gliomas as the most common type (52.7%), followed by embryonal tumors (28.6%). High-grade tumors (WHO grade 4) comprised 49.8% of cases, demonstrating significantly poorer survival outcomes (median overall survival of 13.5 months) compared to lower-grade tumors (up to 57 months). The predominance of tumors in the supratentorial region and the notable differences in survival outcomes by tumor type underscore the varied impact of geographical and socioeconomic factors on pediatric oncology in Mexico.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the critical need for improved healthcare infrastructure and early diagnosis initiatives, as well as the importance of targeted research to address disparities in treatment and outcomes for pediatric CNST in this region.

A system review of central nervous system tumors on children in China: epidemiology and clinical characteristics

BACKGROUND

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the most common solid tumors in children and the leading cause of cancer-related death in the latter. Currently, the incidence rate exceeds that of leukemia and ranks first in the incidence of malignant tumors in children.

METHODS

The epidemiological data on childhood CNS tumors were collected from the Chinese Cancer Registry Annual Report. The annual percent change (APC) of incidence and mortality-rate changes were estimated via Joinpoint regression. Due to a lack of pertinent data, we performed a system review on the clinical-pathological characteristics in Chinese publications.

RESULTS

There was no significant increase in the incidence rate (APC: -0.1, 95% CI: -1.5 to 1.3), but there was a significant increase in the mortality rate (APC: 1.8, 95% CI: 0.3 to 3.4) for childhood CNS tumors. In the subgroup analysis, there were significant increases in both the incidence and mortality rates in rural areas (APC in the incidence: 6.2, 95% CI: 2.4 to 10.2; APC in mortality: 4.4, 95% CI: 0.4 to 8.4). The most common location and type of childhood CNS were, respectively, the cerebral hemisphere (25.5%, 95% CI: 21.7% to 29.4%) and astrocytomas (26.8%, 95% CI: 23.9% to 29.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

The epidemiological trends, and the relevant prediction, highlighted the need to pay continual attention to childhood CNS tumors, and the clinicopathology evinced its own distinctive characteristics. Timely detection and effective treatment must be further promoted regarding childhood CNS tumors with a view to decreasing the disease burden, especially in rural areas.