Pediatric angioplasty and other pediatric interventional procedures in Israel
Brain tumors are the second most common malignancy among children
less than 20 years of age. Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain
tumor, comprising 14.5% of newly diagnosed cases In adults, medulloblastoma is
rare, comprising less than 2% of CNS malignancies.
The incidence of childhood medulloblastoma is higher in males (62%) than females
(38%). Medulloblastoma and other PNET tumors are more prevalent in younger
children than older children. 40% of medulloblastoma patients are diagnosed
before the age of 5, 31% are between the ages of 5 and 9, 18.3% are between the
ages of 10 and 14, and 12.7% are between the ages of 15 and 19.
Treatment begins with maximal resection of the tumor.
The addition of radiation to the entire neuraxis and chemotherapy may
increase the disease-free survival. This combination may permit a 5 year
survival in more than 80% of cases. The presence of desmoplastic features
such as connective tissue formation offers a better prognosis. Prognosis is
worse if the child is less than 3 years old, there is an inadequate degree
of resection, or if there is any CSF, spinal, supratentorial or systemic
spread.
Increased intracranial pressure may be controlled with corticosteroids or a
ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
