Chapter 84 CNS Tumors In Children Flashcards
What percentage of childhood malignancies known with genetic predisposition?
2-5%
What are the genetic predisposition in childhood malignancies?
- Neurofibromatosis types 1(NF-1) and 2 (NF-2)
- Tuberous Sclerosis
- Nevoid basal cell(Gorlin’s) syndrome
- Familial adenomatous polyposis
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
What is the main predisposing factor of childhood malignancies?
Majority remains with no predisposing factors
Radiotherapy causes disrupted neuro Genesis and cortical atrophy. Patient failed to acquire new knowledge and skills at age-appropriate rate and show progressive decline in IQ over time. The magnitude of deficit depends on?
- Age at treatment
- Tumor location
- Treatment factors(RT volume, dose and use of chemotherapy)
What intervention could be used for helping patients with RT induced deficits?
The following can be start soon after treatment for best results
- Cognitive or behavioral therapy
- Pharmacotherapy
- Exercise
Endocrine deficit are very common after RT. Which harmone deficiency is primarily responsible that correlates with dose of RT?
Growth harmone
Which harmone deficiency is primarily responsible that is seen after CSI?
Thyroid harmone
What percentage of CNS malignancies occurs in childhood?
20-25%
What strategies could be used to avoid or minimize long term effects of treatment for pediatric brain tumor?
- Avoidance of RT altogether
- Delay of RT for age 3-8 years by chemotherapy
- Use of daily anesthesia, improved immobilization, daily pretreatment image verification
- Use of new RT modalities eg Proton
- Use of reduced RT target volume eg in medulloblastoma
- Reduce RT dose eg in medulloblastoma
- Use of small fraction size in radiosensitive tumor eg germinoma 1.5Gy/Fx
- HFRT eg current Europian studies in Medulloblastoma
During patient positioning and immobilization in CSI, what maneuver will help avoid dentition in exit dose from superior aspect of spinal field?
Neck extension with careful selection of level for junction of brain and spinal fields
Lower border of thecal sac can be as high as L5 and as low as S3. In the interest of CTV coverage and normal tissue sparing, how do we individualize lower border of spine field in CSI?
MRI findings
During CSI, what percentage of variation of dose along spinal axis will require use of dose compensation and how can we achieve that?
> 10%
Using MLC
What are possible solutions for field matching over cervical spine/risk of over- or under dosage?
- Angle brain fields
- Use half beam blocks for brain fields
- Use couch rotation or match line wedge
What are possible solutions for irradiation of normal tissue thyroid gland?
Care of level of junction
Most common CNS tumor in pediatric age group?
Medulloblastoma
Most common CNS tumors in adult group?
High grade glioma
WHO classification of Astrocytic tumors Grade I Grade II Grade III Grade IV
Grade I - Pilocytic Astrocytoma Pilomyxoid Astrocytoma - aggressive behavior, may include leptomeningeal seeding Grade II - Diffuse Astrocytoma Fibrillary Astrocytoma Gemistocytic Astrocytoma Protoplasmic Astrocytoma Grade III - Anaplastic Astrocytoma Grade IV - Glioblastoma Multiforme Giant Cell Glioblastoma Gliosarcoma Subependymal Giant Cell Astrocytoma - Rare Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma - Rare Gliomatosis cerebri
What are low grade glioma?
What is the overall survival rates at 10 and 15 years
Grade I/II
80-100%
Group LGGs according to an anatomic locations
Cerebellar Astrocytoma Hemispheric Astrocytoma Midline Supratentorial tumors Corpus Callosum Lateral and third ventricle Hypothalamus Thalamus Optic pathway tumors Brainstem LGAs LGAs of Spinal Cord
What is most common Astrocytoma in pediatric age group?
Pilocytic Astrocytoma
Name the sites accounting for almost all of LGAs, Pilocytic
Cerebellum
Anterior Optic Pathway
Describe macroscopic features of Pilocytic Astrocytoma
Well circumscribed, associated cystic component.
Describe microscopic features of Pilocytic Astrocytoma
Biphasic pattern
- Varying proportion of compacted bipolar cells with Rosenthal fibers
- Loosely textured multipolar cells with microcysts and granular bodies
Features compatible with Pilocytic Astrocytoma but not a sign of malignancy
Rare mitosis
Occasional hyperchromatic nuclei
Micro vascular proliferation
Infiltration of meninges
Large proportion of diffuse astrocytoma arise from?
Intrinsic pontine tumors
Cerebral hemisphere
Describe macroscopic features of diffuse astrocytoma
Infiltration rather than destruction of anatomic structure
Usually not well circumscribed
Describe microscopic features of diffuse astrocytoma
- Well differentiated fibrillary or gemistocytic neoplastic astrocytoma on a background of loosely structured often microcystic tumor matrix
- Presence of nuclear atypia is diagnostic criterion
- Mitotic activity, necrosis, microvascular proliferation are absent
Symptoms relate to location of tumors
- Hemispheric tumor
- Hypothalamic tumor
- Diencephalic syndrome
- Focal motor deficit
- Neuro endocrine deficit
- Emaciation with loss of subcutaneous fat despite normal or increased appetite , alert appearance, increased vigor and euphoria, pallor without anemia, nystagmoid movement of eyes.
Name LGAs who may not require any tumor specific treatment. Initial approach of surveillance with active intervention will be taken only at the time of progressive disease that is symptomatic
- NF-1 with optic pathway tumor
2. LGAs with tectal lesion with hydrocephalus without localizing brain stem signs.
What percentage of complete resection is achieved in cerebral, cerebellar, spinal cord tumors?
What percentage of complete resection is achieved in diencephalic tumor?
> 80%
50%
In joint CCG-POG study, subtotal resection without adjuvant treatment, what is 8 years progression free survival and overall survival rates?
PFS with 1.5 cm3 residual 45%
OS with 1.5cm3 residual 90%
What is the role of post-operative radiotherapy in less than complete tumor resection?
It results in improved disease free survival without benefit in overall survival
What is the period for risk of disease progression after incomplete tumor resection?
Initial 3 years after incomplete tumor resection
When does second surgery be considered?
When does other treatment be reserved like RT and Chemotherapy?
At tumor progression and operable
At tumor progression and inoperable
What is the indication of adjuvant chemotherapy particularly in infant and young children and patient of all ages with NF-1?
Patient are greatest risk of developing neuro cognitive, vaso-occlusive and neuroendocrine sequelae of RT treatment.
What is the overall response rate in terms of stable disease to chemotherapy as adjuvant therapy in LGAs?
70-100%
How long can chemotherapy permit delay of RT?
2 to 4+ years
What age group benefit delay of RT by using chemotherapy?
5-8 years
CTV margin for pilocytic astrocytoma?
0-1 cm around GTV in T1 weighted gadolinium enhanced images
CTV margin for infiltrative diffuse fibrillary astrocytoma?
1-1.5 cm around GTV seen in T2 weighted or Flair images
What is standard dose of LGAs?
50-54Gy
What are radioactive solutions used in recurrent LGAs after RT where symptoms relate more to cyst wall than solid component of tumor?
32P
90Y
198Au
186Re
Post RT MRI in initial months shows no change in tumor volume or rather increase in size..what should you do next?
Tumor regression in LGAs is slow..post RT imaging, tumor may remain stable or increase in size..close follow up with repeat imaging is best approach.
What percentage of high grade astrocytoma accounts for all CNS tumors in pediatric age group?
5%
What comprises of HGAs?
Grade III Anaplastic Astrocytoma(AA)
Grade IV GBM
Describe 6 histopathologic features of HGAs
Nuclear atypia Cellular pleomorphism Mitotic activity Vascular thrombosis Microvascular proliferation Necrosis
HGAs is common in what age group?
Older adolescent
What are the common sites of HGAs?
2/3 cerebral hemisphere
Remaining : deep midline structures thalamus, basal ganglia, cerebellum
What is the predominant failure pattern in HGAs?
Local
What is the percentage of leptomeningeal spread in HGAs?
10-30%
Describe the basic principle of treatment in HGAs
Surgery followed by RT
Complete resection shows survival advantage
Maximal surgical resection compatible with good neurological outcome
Second surgical procedure if significant residual tumor after first
Describe target delineation in HGAs
GTV of tumor bed, residual enhancing or non enhancing residual tumor plus abnormality seen in T2 weighted MRI with CTV margin of 1.5cm
What is dose prescription in HGAs?
54-60 Gy standard dose
50-54Gy if dose tolerance of normal organ like optic chiasm exceeds its dose constrain
What chemotherapy can be used in adult HGAs ?
Temozolamide
What is median time of progression and overall survival at 5 years of HGAs in children
Median time of progression 10-11 months
Overall survival 20%
In HGAs, by location which has good and bad prognosis?
Good prognosis cerebral hemisphere
Bad prognosis thalamic lesion
In HGAs, by age which has good and bad prognosis?
Good prognosis younger than age 3
Bad prognosis older children more than 3 years
p53 over expression and MIB-1 labeling index has good or bad prognosis?
Bad prognosis
What is the age group of optic pathway glioma?
2-6 years
75% are younger than 10 years
1/3rd of optic pathway glioma is associated with what genetic predisposing factor?
Bilateral optic nerve involvement is pathognomonic of?
NF-1
Name 3 clinicopathologic entities of optic pathway glioma
- Tumor confined to optic nerve
- Anterior tumor : tumor confined to optic chiasm
- Posterior or chiasmatic/hypothalamic tumor(70%) : tumor involve hypothalamus or adjacent structure
Describe general principle of treatment of optic pathway glioma
Surgical resection if no useful vision
Chemotherapy for infants and age up to 5 years if useful vision
Radiotherapy for older children
What is the long term tumor control rate with chemotherapy or radiotherapy in optic pathway glioma?
100%
Describe general principle of chiasmatic glioma
- Surgery is NO option
- NF-1 and younger than 5 years : Surveillance is appropriate initial management or Chemotherapy
- Without NF-1 and older children : radiotherapy is reserved for salvage after chemotherapy
Long term progression free survival and overall survival in chiasmatic glioma
Long term progression free survival 60-90%
Overall survival 90-100%
What are early and late findings of posterior or chiasmatic/hypothalamic glioma?
Early findings : nystagmus, impaired visual acuity, visual field defects
Late findings : increased head circumference, signs and symptoms of increased ICP
Describe general principles of posterior or chiasmatic/hypothalamic glioma
- CSF diversion and surgical resection
- Chemotherapy NF-1 with younger than 5 years
- Radiotherapy without NF-1 with older children, disease progression with chemotherapy, disease progression at diagnosis or after surgery.
What is dose prescription of posterior or chiasmatic/hypothalamic glioma
45-50 Gy younger children
50-54 Gy older children above 5 years
What is the local tumor control with RT in posterior or chiasmatic/hypothalamic glioma?
70-80%
What is the long term survival in posterior or chiasmatic/hypothalamic glioma?
50-80%
Patient of posterior or chiasmatic/hypothalamic glioma with NF-1, how do we do follow up?
MR angiography as part of regular follow up imaging protocol and intervene surgically if necessary to avoid CVA
Why do we need MR angiography for follow up of patient with posterior or chiasmatic/hypothalamic glioma?
With NF-1 they are at greatest risk of moyamoya syndrome, a progressive vasocclusive process involving circle of willis
What percentage of brainstem glioma comprises of all CNS tumors in pediatric age group?
10-15%
Name favorable groups of brainstem glioma
Low grade focal
Dorsal exophytic
Cervicomedullary tumors
Name more aggressive brainstem glioma
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma
Describe features of low grade focal brainstem glioma
Well circumscribed, cystic, without evidence of infiltration, without edema
Describe general principle of treatment of low grade focal brainstem glioma
Surgery in experienced hands for well selected cases
Standard RT of 54Gy over 6 weeks with CTV margin of 0.5cm
What are the factors that depends on outcome of conventional RT in low grade focal brainstem glioma?
- location - pons vs others
- Imaging appearance - tumor volume, density on CT, enhancement pattern)
- Histology - malignant vs benign
Describe radiological findings of dorsal exophytic brainstem glioma
MRI sharply delineated from surrounding tissue
Hypointense on T1
Hyperintense on T2
Enhance uniformly and brightly after gadolinium
What is most common histology of tumor in dorsal exophytic brainstem glioma
Pilocytic astrocytoma
What is the treatment of choice for dorsal exophytic brainstem glioma
Surgery
What is the indication of RT in dorsal exophytic brainstem glioma
Routine postoperative RT NOT indicated
Should be considered for
High grade lesion
Disease progression in early
Treatment strategy for tumor recurrence in dorsal exophytic brainstem glioma
Further surgery and RT
How is the overall prognosis of dorsal exophytic brainstem glioma
Excellent
What is the treatment choice for cervicomedullary brainstem glioma
Surgery
What is the gross total resection rate of cervicomedullary brainstem glioma
70-80%
What is the indication of RT in cervicomedullary brainstem glioma?
NO indication of RT
What is the common histology of tumor in diffuse intrinsic pontine brainstem glioma
Fibrillary Astrocytoma
Name cranial nerves commonly involved in diffuse intrinsic pontine tumors
CN VI and VII
Describe radiologic feature of diffuse intrinsic pontine brainstem glioma
Best seen in T2 or FLAIR
Ring enhancement suggestive of high grade histology