Pediatric brain tumors in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of pediatric brain tumors treated at the University Pediatric Hospital of Puerto Rico over a 6-year period and examine the demographic data and tumor histology of patients in different age groups.

Methods: A retrospective study was undertaken at the University Pediatric Hospital. We included patients with brain tumors that had been newly diagnosed during the period covering from January 2002 to December 2007. All cases were analyzed by age, gender, histologic diagnosis, and affected area.

Results: One hundred thirty-six patients were included in the study. Overall, males were more frequently affected than were females. Children in the 1 to 4 years old age group had the highest number of newly diagnosed brain tumors. Regarding anatomic location, supratentorial tumors were more frequent than were infratentorial tumors. The most common single tumor was the pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade I), representing 31% of the total pediatric brain tumors.

Conclusion: Our results provide an objective platform for further epidemiological studies and for the development of local health strategies for the timely diagnosis and treatment of the most common pediatric tumors in Puerto Rico.