Overview of the management of central nervous system tumors in children - UpToDate

INTRODUCTION Primary malignant central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the second most common childhood malignancies, after hematologic malignancies, and are the most common pediatric solid organ tumor (table 1) [1]. They are the leading cause of death from childhood cancer, surpassing the mortality rate of acute lymphoblastic leukemia [2]. Although advances in surgical intervention, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy have improved the survival rates in children with CNS tumors, mortality and morbidity associated with these disorders persist, especially with malignant brain tumors. A general overview of the management and prognosis of CNS tumors in children will be reviewed here. An overview of the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and epidemiology of CNS tumors in children is presented separately. (See "Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of central nervous system tumors in children" and "Epidemiology and classification of central nervous system tumors in children".) The manageme

INTRODUCTION Primary malignant central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the second most common childhood malignancies, after hematologic malignancies, and are the most common pediatric solid organ tumor (table 1) [1]. They are the leading cause of death from childhood cancer, surpassing the mortality rate of acute lymphoblastic leukemia [2]. Although advances in surgical intervention, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy have improved the survival rates in children with CNS tumors, mortality and morbidity associated with these disorders persist, especially with malignant brain tumors. A general