PAEDIATRIC-09 DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMORS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA; A CASE STUDY OF UGANDA

BACKGROUND: Pediatric brain tumors are the commonest solid tumors in children and the 2nd commonest childhood cancer globally. In Sub-Saharan Africa, there is paucity of data on their diagnosis and management. OBJECTIVES: To describe the presentation, investigations done, treatment modalities and outcome of pediatric patients with brain tumors seen at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Uganda from May 2019 to March 2023. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in Mulago National Referral Hospital, pediatric oncology unit, in patients below 18 years of age, admitted with a radiological finding of a brain tumor from May 2019 to March 2023. RESULTS: The total number of children treated for a brain tumor in this period was 121.Majority (69 /121 (57 %)) of patients were males. The commonest symptom at presentation was headache (42%). Brain Ct-Scans were done in all, and majority (52%) had infratentorial tumors. The commonest diagnosis was glioma (38%), craniopharyngioma (26%), medulloblastoma (11%). Fifty-two patients had surgical resection and a histological diagnosis. Ten percent of patients had no diagnosis. Only 24(20%) patients received radiotherapy. Twenty patients received chemotherapy. Sixty-six are still alive and attending clinical reviews. The overall one-year survival was 63% (95%CI (50.3.0-73.4). CONCLUSION: Gliomas were the commonest diagnosed pediatric brain tumor at the Mulago National Referral Hospital, pediatric oncology unit.