RESUMEN

State-of-the-art therapy improves the five-year survival rate of patients under the age of 20 with cranial and craniospinal tumors by up to 74%. The urgency of dealing effectively with late treatment-associated cardiovascular complications is rising. Objective: We aimed to assess echocardiographic parameters and exercise performance in subjects with a history of complex treatment for cranial and craniospinal tumors in childhood. Methods: the study of 48 subjects who underwent cranial and craniospinal irradiation for CNS tumors in childhood and 20 healthy age- and sex-matched volunteers was conducted. The examination included hormone studies, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and, in the main group, echocardiography (ECHO). Results: In five (10.4%) patients, ECHO changes were detected after complex anti-cancer treatment: thickening and calcification of the aortic valve leaflets (2%), and reduction in the systolic LV and RV function (8% and 6%, respectively). Irradiation of various areas was a significant predictor for reduced exercise tolerance, hyperventilation at rest and upon exertion, and an increased ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide. Low exercise tolerance was associated with a younger age at the time of treatment initiation. Significant differences were noted between the control group and the childhood cancer survivors with endocrine disorders. Conclusions: The obtained data confirm the importance of regular cardiovascular and endocrine monitoring of this group of cancer survivors.

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: Stereotactic biopsies are procedures that enable neurosurgeons to obtain tissue samples of brain tumors located in eloquent areas with a low risk of perioperative complications. In this study, we examined stereotactic procedures (STX) in children. We focused on effectiveness, safety, and histopathological results to evaluate the benefits of the procedure. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of our prospective database and included 43 children aged less than 18 years who underwent STX between 1998 and May 2015. All MRIs were evaluated by a single, experienced neuroradiologist. For all biopsies, Leksell stereotactic frame was used and fixed to the children's head with four pins. Entry and targetpoints were calculated by BrainLab navigation system. We assessed age, tumor localization, number of samples, histological diagnosis, and postoperative treatment. RESULTS: Median age of the patients was 11 years (range 1-18 years), and median number of tissue samples taken was 12 (range 1 with mere puncture of a cyst to 36). Histopathological examination revealed a final diagnosis in all patients. 3 patients underwent puncture of a cyst. 27 patients had a postoperative imaging. Only in 3 patients, CT scan revealed blood in the area where the biopsy had been taken. All bleedings were small and without clinical sequelae. CONCLUSION: Stereotactic procedures are accurate and save surgeries to obtain tumor tissue from eloquent areas to base further therapy on. This not only applies to adults but also to children of all ages.

Asunto(s)

Neoplasias Encefálicas/patología , Neoplasias Encefálicas/cirugía , Encéfalo/patología , Encéfalo/cirugía , Técnicas Estereotáxicas , Adolescente , Biopsia/efectos adversos , Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagen , Neoplasias Encefálicas/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Encefálicas/terapia , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Masculino , Estudios Prospectivos , Estudios Retrospectivos , Técnicas Estereotáxicas/efectos adversos , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X

RESUMEN

This study presents the results of research on DNA polymorphism in children with malignant brain tumors (172 patients, 183 in the control group). Genotyping was performed using an allele-specific tetraprimer reaction for the genes of the first (CYP1A1 (2 sites)) and second phases of xenobiotic detoxication (GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1, GSTM3), DNA repair genesXRCC1, XPD(2 sites),OGG1, as well asNOS1andMTHFR.The increased risk of disease is associated with a minor variant ofCYP1A1(606G) (p = 0.009; OR = 1.50) and a deletion variant ofGSTT1, (p = 0.013, OR = 1.96). Maximum disease risk was observed in carriers of double deletions inGSTT1-GSTM1(p = 0.017, OR = 2.42). The obtained results are discussed in reference to literary data on the risk of malignant brain tumor formation in children and adults.