Diagnosis and treatment of pediatric brain tumors
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Brain tumors are the most common solid tumors in children and are associated with high mortality. The most common childhood brain tumors are grouped as lowgrade gliomas, high grade gliomas, ependymomas, and embryonal tumors, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Advances in molecular genetics have led to a shift from pure histopathological diagnosis to integrated diagnosis. For the first time, these new criteria were included in the WHO classification published in 2016 and has been further updated in the 2021 edition. Integrated diagnosis is based on molecular genomic similarities of the tumor subclasses, and it can better explain the differences in clinical courses of previously histopathologically identical entities. Important advances have also been made in pediatric neurooncology. A growing understanding of the moleculargenetic background of tumorigenesis has improved the diagnostic accuracy. Restratification of treatment protocols and the development of targeted therapies will significantly affect overall survival and quality of life. For some pediatric tumors, these advances have significantly improved therapeutic management and prognosis in certain tumor subgroups. Some therapeutic approaches also have serious longterm consequences. Therefore, optimized treatments are greatly needed.
Source: MD-Onco
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4408212411