Pediatric Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumors
CNS tumors represent the most common solid tumors in childhood and the second overall cause of childhood cancer after leukemias. They are predominantly located in the posterior fossa (infratentorial) unlike adults.
Frequent Histological Types
- Pilocytic Astrocytoma: WHO Grade I, slow growing, benign and excellent prognosis after complete surgical resection.
- Medulloblastoma: Highly malignant embryonal tumor of the posterior fossa, requiring resection, chemotherapy and craniospinal radiotherapy depending on age.
- Ependymoma: It originates from the ependymal cells of the ventricles. Its prognosis depends critically on total surgical resection.