Treatment assessment of pediatric brain tumor patients in Hospital Infantil Albert Sabin between 2007-2008 (amended to 2007-2010)

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are malignancies that, despite its low incidence, have disproportionately large disabling effects. Among the neurological diseases they are second only to the CNS vascular diseases as a cause of death (BLACK & LOEFLER, 1997). Primary tumors of the central nervous system are the malignant solid tumors more common in the pediatric age group, accounting for about 15% of cancers in children. They have an annual incidence of approximately 2.5 cases per 100,000 in children under 15, being an important differential diagnosis in pediatrics. (Lima et al, 2005). CNS neoplasms are the most common cause of cancer mortality in young people. According to a survey made in the USA, CNS tumors account for 30% of deaths in cases of childhood cancer and is the second leading cause of child death, second only to accidents, in the first year of life. (GURNEY et al, 1999) The purpose of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological profile of patients undergoing treatment for tumors of the central nervous system in the Pediatric Onco-Hematology Department of Hospital Infantil Albert Sabin (HIAS). A subgroup of patients with expected poor prognosis, composed of inoperable brain tumors of thalamus and brainstem, and malignant gliomas (grade III and IV WHO), seems to have achieved better results than expected. In order to confirm this empirical observation and quantify this result, we will do an epidemiological profile of this subgroup of patients, comparing with data from our service collected in previous years.Project proposal that was submitted to the Institutional Review Board of Hospital Infantil Albert Sabin and approved in 12/16/2008. Number of approval CAAE 26609514.4.0000.504